Informal Politics in the Middle East

'Clearly written and accessible, this book is a significant contribution to an important debate.' -- Asian Affairs 'This book fills a large gap in the study of the Middle East by offering a critical analysis of the interaction of formal and informal politics. Interesting, timely and important, it is necessary reading for those wanting to understand contemporary politics.' -- Simon Mabon, Professor of International Politics, Lancaster University, and author of 'Houses Built on Sand: Violence, Sectarianism and Revolution in the Middle East' 'This is an excellent volume of essays with a great deal of depth and balance. It provides a welcome reminder of the nuance and complexity of, and the lack of a simple binary between, formal and informal politics.' -- Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Fellow for the Middle East, Rice University 'This illuminating book examines those hazy quarters of the Middle East where ordinary people challenge their distorted states, and seek more equitable societies. Current political, economic, demographic, and environmental trends guarantee that informal politics will continue rattling the region. An indispensable book.' -- Rami Khouri, American University of Beirut 'The very idea of nation-state was a monkey wrench that European colonialism threw into colonized countries around the globe. This excellent volume skilfully teases out the dynamics of formal and informal politics. A brilliant collection of insights.' -- Hamid Dabashi, Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature, Columbia University