The Quest for Democracy Amid Authoritarian Legacies

One year has passed since the collapse of the authoritarian regime in Syria. Fourteen years have elapsed since the popular uprising for democracy swept across the Middle East and North Africa. Despite the sacrifices made, the outcome has fallen short of public expectations. The book seeks to examine the factors that led to failure in some countries and catastrophic consequences in others, with a view to preventing similar outcomes in Syria. Three regional models encapsulate the experiences of five countries that have undergone regime changes. These states, characterised by an Arab Muslim leadership and a shared political history, provide a framework for understanding regime transition dynamics. The shifts unfolded in three distinct directions: in some cases, the democratic process initially took hold but eventually reverted to authoritarian rule; in others, the collapse of dictatorial regimes resulted in civil war and the disintegration of the nation-state model; while in a certain instance, the collapse of dictatorships led to the establishment of a federal democracy. Hence, choices and alternatives are already being tested across the region, and the Syrian process trajectory will align with one of these models. Given that Syria remains in a transitional phase, the author examines the various options by analysing current government policies and proposing a viable alternative to guide the country towards democracy, peace, and justice.