Authority outside the State, Non-State Actors and New Institutions in the Middle East
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Authors
Baylouny, Anne Marie
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2010
Date
Publisher
Language
Abstract
The Middle East appears rife with violent non-state actors operating outside
domestic law and international norms. Through state incapacity, economic
reforms, or war, increasing areas are untouched by state services or law. Territories
are becoming effectively stateless even in the geographic heart of the
nominal state itself. States considered strong (Tunisia) or rich (Saudi Arabia)
are similarly affected. Yet unlike Hobbes's nightmare of all-out competition
and violence, the areas are in fact governed. Instead of chaos in spaces where
state sovereignty is sparse or absent, alternative authorities arise. New actors
and institutions fulfill roles previously considered the preserve of the state.
Gangs, militias, thugs, local men of influence, and religious political parties
are the main contenders for authority. These actors and their authority are
not traditional or longstanding; they are newly successful, self-made leaders.
They establish authority through services to the community and legitimate it
in terms of religion, identity, or violence.
Type
Book Chapter
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs
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NPS Report Number
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Format
Citation
Ungoverned Spaces Alternative to State Authority in an Era of Softened Sovereignty, Chapter 7
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This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.