Challenges to Democracy in the Arab and Muslim World
Challenges to Democracy in the Arab and Muslim World

Summary/Abstract: In this essay I argue that because of the long history of authoritarianism, tribalism, and religious and cultural sectarianism in the Arab and Muslim world, the introduc-tion of democracy is not likely to succeed without an initial transitional period meas-ured in years rather than months. During this period, four core measures that deal with the main challenges to democracy in the Arab and Muslim world must be un-dertaken simultaneously. They are: gradual political reforms, economic incentives through sustainable development, educational reform, and the building of democratic institutions. Together, they will allow home-grown liberal-oriented forces to work in concert, under the protection of the law, in shaping the emergence of a new democratic system congruent with each community's unique needs and traditional environment.

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