The 2002 Arab Human Development Report: Implications for Democracy

Middle East Policy

Volumn 11, Issue 1, 2004, Pages 132-141

  Baroudi, Sami E ^a,b  

^a LEBANESE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY   (Lebanon)

^b VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 1942443905     PISSN: 10611924     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1111/j.1061-1924.2004.00146.x     Document Type: Review

References (40)

1. United Nations Development Programme and Arab Human Fund for Economic and Social Development, Arab Human Development Report 2002: Creating Opportunities for Future Generations (New York: United Nations Publication, 2002).
2. In an interview with Al-Hayat (London), Rima Khalaf Huanidi, director of the Arab Regional Bureau of the UNDP, notes that the Report "was written by Arabs for Arabs." United Nations Information Center (UNIC), Beirut. Press Review: Special Issue on UNDP Arab Human Development Report, July 5, 2002.
3. See also the remarks of Rima Khalaf Huaidi, Gulf News, October 29, 2002.
4. Alan Richards, "Modernity and Economic Development," Middle East Policy, Vol. X, No. 3, Fall 2003, p. 67.
5. On how economic freedom can undermine political and civil freedoms, see, in particular, Sylvia Chan, Liberalism, Democracy and Development (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002), especially chapter 2, "Decomposing Liberal-democracy," pp. 39-56.
6. For works by academics and policy makers, see mainly Richards and Chris Patten, "How Not To Spread Democracy." Foreign Policy, September/October2003, pp. 40-46.
7. Al-Hayat, October 4, 2002, p. 10.
8. Al-Safir, November 7, 2002, p. 19.
9. Al-Nahar (Beirut), August 16, 2002, p. 13.
10. Al-Safir, December 11, 2002, p. 17.
11. Al-Hayat, November 10, 2002, p. 10.
12. Al-Hayat, December 30,2002, p. 12.
13. Al-Safir, September 25, 2002, p.7.
14. Al-Safir, January 22, 2003, p. 19.
15. Al-Hayat, November 11, 2002, p. 10.
16. Al-Hayat, August 19, 2002, p. 9.
17. See, for example, the views expressed by UCLA Law professor, Khaled Abou El Fadl, and president of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Ziad Asali, during their appearance on "Hardball with Chris Mathews" (9:00 PM ET) CNBC, July 2, 2002 (CNBC News Transcripts).
18. Quoted in Richards, p. 69.
19. See, for example, Ussama Makdissi, "Anti-Americanism in the Arab World: An Interpretation of a Brief History," Journal of American History, Vol. 89, Issue 2; online at http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ jah/89.2/makdissi.html.
20. I b i d.
21. See, for example, Barbara Crossette, "Study Warns of Stagnation in Arab Societies," The New York Times, July 2, 2002, p. A11. Karen DeYoung, "Arab Report Cites Development Obstacles; Study Blames Poor Education, Political Repression, Treatment of Women," The Washington Post, July 2, 2002, p. A10; Richard N. Haass, "The Goal Becomes Muslim Democracy; A Priority Shift in Washington," The International Herald Tribune, December 11, 2002, p. 4; "The Arab World Takes a Hard Look at Itself," The Washington Post, July 14, 2002, p. B3; and "Special Report: Arab Development," The Economist, July 6, 2002, pp. 24-28. Critics of the AHDR (such as Riyad Tabbara) pointed in particular to the Special Report in The Economist and to Thomas Friedman's editorials in The New York Times to point out how the AHDR was being exploited by Western media to tarnish the image of the Arabs and of Islam.
22. See, for example, Barbara Crossette, "Study Warns of Stagnation in Arab Societies," The New York Times, July 2, 2002, p. A11. Karen DeYoung, "Arab Report Cites Development Obstacles; Study Blames Poor Education, Political Repression, Treatment of Women," The Washington Post, July 2, 2002, p. A10; Richard N. Haass, "The Goal Becomes Muslim Democracy; A Priority Shift in Washington," The International Herald Tribune, December 11, 2002, p. 4; "The Arab World Takes a Hard Look at Itself," The Washington Post, July 14, 2002, p. B3; and "Special Report: Arab Development," The Economist, July 6, 2002, pp. 24-28. Critics of the AHDR (such as Riyad Tabbara) pointed in particular to the Special Report in The Economist and to Thomas Friedman's editorials in The New York Times to point out how the AHDR was being exploited by Western media to tarnish the image of the Arabs and of Islam.
23. See, for example, Barbara Crossette, "Study Warns of Stagnation in Arab Societies," The New York Times, July 2, 2002, p. A11. Karen DeYoung, "Arab Report Cites Development Obstacles; Study Blames Poor Education, Political Repression, Treatment of Women," The Washington Post, July 2, 2002, p. A10; Richard N. Haass, "The Goal Becomes Muslim Democracy; A Priority Shift in Washington," The International Herald Tribune, December 11, 2002, p. 4; "The Arab World Takes a Hard Look at Itself," The Washington Post, July 14, 2002, p. B3; and "Special Report: Arab Development," The Economist, July 6, 2002, pp. 24-28. Critics of the AHDR (such as Riyad Tabbara) pointed in particular to the Special Report in The Economist and to Thomas Friedman's editorials in The New York Times to point out how the AHDR was being exploited by Western media to tarnish the image of the Arabs and of Islam.
24. See, for example, Barbara Crossette, "Study Warns of Stagnation in Arab Societies," The New York Times, July 2, 2002, p. A11. Karen DeYoung, "Arab Report Cites Development Obstacles; Study Blames Poor Education, Political Repression, Treatment of Women," The Washington Post, July 2, 2002, p. A10; Richard N. Haass, "The Goal Becomes Muslim Democracy; A Priority Shift in Washington," The International Herald Tribune, December 11, 2002, p. 4; "The Arab World Takes a Hard Look at Itself," The Washington Post, July 14, 2002, p. B3; and "Special Report: Arab Development," The Economist, July 6, 2002, pp. 24-28. Critics of the AHDR (such as Riyad Tabbara) pointed in particular to the Special Report in The Economist and to Thomas Friedman's editorials in The New York Times to point out how the AHDR was being exploited by Western media to tarnish the image of the Arabs and of Islam.
25. See, for example, Barbara Crossette, "Study Warns of Stagnation in Arab Societies," The New York Times, July 2, 2002, p. A11. Karen DeYoung, "Arab Report Cites Development Obstacles; Study Blames Poor Education, Political Repression, Treatment of Women," The Washington Post, July 2, 2002, p. A10; Richard N. Haass, "The Goal Becomes Muslim Democracy; A Priority Shift in Washington," The International Herald Tribune, December 11, 2002, p. 4; "The Arab World Takes a Hard Look at Itself," The Washington Post, July 14, 2002, p. B3; and "Special Report: Arab Development," The Economist, July 6, 2002, pp. 24-28. Critics of the AHDR (such as Riyad Tabbara) pointed in particular to the Special Report in The Economist and to Thomas Friedman's editorials in The New York Times to point out how the AHDR was being exploited by Western media to tarnish the image of the Arabs and of Islam.
26. See, for example, Barbara Crossette, "Study Warns of Stagnation in Arab Societies," The New York Times, July 2, 2002, p. A11. Karen DeYoung, "Arab Report Cites Development Obstacles; Study Blames Poor Education, Political Repression, Treatment of Women," The Washington Post, July 2, 2002, p. A10; Richard N. Haass, "The Goal Becomes Muslim Democracy; A Priority Shift in Washington," The International Herald Tribune, December 11, 2002, p. 4; "The Arab World Takes a Hard Look at Itself," The Washington Post, July 14, 2002, p. B3; and "Special Report: Arab Development," The Economist, July 6, 2002, pp. 24-28. Critics of the AHDR (such as Riyad Tabbara) pointed in particular to the Special Report in The Economist and to Thomas Friedman's editorials in The New York Times to point out how the AHDR was being exploited by Western media to tarnish the image of the Arabs and of Islam.
27. See, for example, Barbara Crossette, "Study Warns of Stagnation in Arab Societies," The New York Times, July 2, 2002, p. A11. Karen DeYoung, "Arab Report Cites Development Obstacles; Study Blames Poor Education, Political Repression, Treatment of Women," The Washington Post, July 2, 2002, p. A10; Richard N. Haass, "The Goal Becomes Muslim Democracy; A Priority Shift in Washington," The International Herald Tribune, December 11, 2002, p. 4; "The Arab World Takes a Hard Look at Itself," The Washington Post, July 14, 2002, p. B3; and "Special Report: Arab Development," The Economist, July 6, 2002, pp. 24-28. Critics of the AHDR (such as Riyad Tabbara) pointed in particular to the Special Report in The Economist and to Thomas Friedman's editorials in The New York Times to point out how the AHDR was being exploited by Western media to tarnish the image of the Arabs and of Islam.
28. Thomas Friedman notes that the United States should "make it clear that it was going into Iraq, not just to disarm Iraq but empower Iraq's people to implement the Arab Human Development Report ...." The New York Times, October 23, 2002, p. A23. In another editorial, Friedman argues that one should only read the AHDR to "understand the milieu that produced bin Ladensim, and will reproduce it if nothing changes ...." The New York Times, July 3, 2002, p. A23. An editorial in The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) argues that the AHDR shows that the causes of Arab underdevelopment are internal. It goes on to note that Arab governments try to blame their problems on the West and Israel. "Blaming Israel also perpetuates another selfdestructive notion.... that Arab problems are caused by outsiders. Destroy or drive them out and all will be right in the Arab world, goes this flawed reasoning." The Columbus Dispatch, August 19,2002, p. A6. According to another editorial, "If you wonder why Arab states are the way they are, read the Arab Human Development Report," The Dallas Morning News, July 6, 2002. To provide one last example of how the AHDR was used by certain commentators in the United States, Jack Kemp stresses the Report's findings with regard to the "freedoms deficit" to criticize Muslim societies for their treatment of their Christian minorities. He claims: "The Egyptian Christian Copt minority is persecuted by the government, and hundreds have been massacred by Islamist groups since 1988," The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 10, 2002, p. B5.
29. Thomas Friedman notes that the United States should "make it clear that it was going into Iraq, not just to disarm Iraq but empower Iraq's people to implement the Arab Human Development Report ...." The New York Times, October 23, 2002, p. A23. In another editorial, Friedman argues that one should only read the AHDR to "understand the milieu that produced bin Ladensim, and will reproduce it if nothing changes ...." The New York Times, July 3, 2002, p. A23. An editorial in The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) argues that the AHDR shows that the causes of Arab underdevelopment are internal. It goes on to note that Arab governments try to blame their problems on the West and Israel. "Blaming Israel also perpetuates another selfdestructive notion.... that Arab problems are caused by outsiders. Destroy or drive them out and all will be right in the Arab world, goes this flawed reasoning." The Columbus Dispatch, August 19,2002, p. A6. According to another editorial, "If you wonder why Arab states are the way they are, read the Arab Human Development Report," The Dallas Morning News, July 6, 2002. To provide one last example of how the AHDR was used by certain commentators in the United States, Jack Kemp stresses the Report's findings with regard to the "freedoms deficit" to criticize Muslim societies for their treatment of their Christian minorities. He claims: "The Egyptian Christian Copt minority is persecuted by the government, and hundreds have been massacred by Islamist groups since 1988," The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 10, 2002, p. B5.
30. Thomas Friedman notes that the United States should "make it clear that it was going into Iraq, not just to disarm Iraq but empower Iraq's people to implement the Arab Human Development Report ...." The New York Times, October 23, 2002, p. A23. In another editorial, Friedman argues that one should only read the AHDR to "understand the milieu that produced bin Ladensim, and will reproduce it if nothing changes ...." The New York Times, July 3, 2002, p. A23. An editorial in The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) argues that the AHDR shows that the causes of Arab underdevelopment are internal. It goes on to note that Arab governments try to blame their problems on the West and Israel. "Blaming Israel also perpetuates another selfdestructive notion.... that Arab problems are caused by outsiders. Destroy or drive them out and all will be right in the Arab world, goes this flawed reasoning." The Columbus Dispatch, August 19,2002, p. A6. According to another editorial, "If you wonder why Arab states are the way they are, read the Arab Human Development Report," The Dallas Morning News, July 6, 2002. To provide one last example of how the AHDR was used by certain commentators in the United States, Jack Kemp stresses the Report's findings with regard to the "freedoms deficit" to criticize Muslim societies for their treatment of their Christian minorities. He claims: "The Egyptian Christian Copt minority is persecuted by the government, and hundreds have been massacred by Islamist groups since 1988," The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 10, 2002, p. B5.
31. Thomas Friedman notes that the United States should "make it clear that it was going into Iraq, not just to disarm Iraq but empower Iraq's people to implement the Arab Human Development Report ...." The New York Times, October 23, 2002, p. A23. In another editorial, Friedman argues that one should only read the AHDR to "understand the milieu that produced bin Ladensim, and will reproduce it if nothing changes ...." The New York Times, July 3, 2002, p. A23. An editorial in The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) argues that the AHDR shows that the causes of Arab underdevelopment are internal. It goes on to note that Arab governments try to blame their problems on the West and Israel. "Blaming Israel also perpetuates another selfdestructive notion.... that Arab problems are caused by outsiders. Destroy or drive them out and all will be right in the Arab world, goes this flawed reasoning." The Columbus Dispatch, August 19,2002, p. A6. According to another editorial, "If you wonder why Arab states are the way they are, read the Arab Human Development Report," The Dallas Morning News, July 6, 2002. To provide one last example of how the AHDR was used by certain commentators in the United States, Jack Kemp stresses the Report's findings with regard to the "freedoms deficit" to criticize Muslim societies for their treatment of their Christian minorities. He claims: "The Egyptian Christian Copt minority is persecuted by the government, and hundreds have been massacred by Islamist groups since 1988," The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 10, 2002, p. B5.
32. Thomas Friedman notes that the United States should "make it clear that it was going into Iraq, not just to disarm Iraq but empower Iraq's people to implement the Arab Human Development Report ...." The New York Times, October 23, 2002, p. A23. In another editorial, Friedman argues that one should only read the AHDR to "understand the milieu that produced bin Ladensim, and will reproduce it if nothing changes ...." The New York Times, July 3, 2002, p. A23. An editorial in The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) argues that the AHDR shows that the causes of Arab underdevelopment are internal. It goes on to note that Arab governments try to blame their problems on the West and Israel. "Blaming Israel also perpetuates another selfdestructive notion.... that Arab problems are caused by outsiders. Destroy or drive them out and all will be right in the Arab world, goes this flawed reasoning." The Columbus Dispatch, August 19,2002, p. A6. According to another editorial, "If you wonder why Arab states are the way they are, read the Arab Human Development Report," The Dallas Morning News, July 6, 2002. To provide one last example of how the AHDR was used by certain commentators in the United States, Jack Kemp stresses the Report's findings with regard to the "freedoms deficit" to criticize Muslim societies for their treatment of their Christian minorities. He claims: "The Egyptian Christian Copt minority is persecuted by the government, and hundreds have been massacred by Islamist groups since 1988," The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 10, 2002, p. B5.
33. Thomas Friedman notes that the United States should "make it clear that it was going into Iraq, not just to disarm Iraq but empower Iraq's people to implement the Arab Human Development Report ...." The New York Times, October 23, 2002, p. A23. In another editorial, Friedman argues that one should only read the AHDR to "understand the milieu that produced bin Ladensim, and will reproduce it if nothing changes ...." The New York Times, July 3, 2002, p. A23. An editorial in The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) argues that the AHDR shows that the causes of Arab underdevelopment are internal. It goes on to note that Arab governments try to blame their problems on the West and Israel. "Blaming Israel also perpetuates another selfdestructive notion.... that Arab problems are caused by outsiders. Destroy or drive them out and all will be right in the Arab world, goes this flawed reasoning." The Columbus Dispatch, August 19,2002, p. A6. According to another editorial, "If you wonder why Arab states are the way they are, read the Arab Human Development Report," The Dallas Morning News, July 6, 2002. To provide one last example of how the AHDR was used by certain commentators in the United States, Jack Kemp stresses the Report's findings with regard to the "freedoms deficit" to criticize Muslim societies for their treatment of their Christian minorities. He claims: "The Egyptian Christian Copt minority is persecuted by the government, and hundreds have been massacred by Islamist groups since 1988," The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 10, 2002, p. B5.
34. The Economist, July 6, 2002, p. 26. Writing a few months after the AHDR came out, and prior to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, David Hirst noted: "[In Cairo] the preoccupation with the two things that seem most fateful for the future - the Israeli-Palestinian struggle and U.S. plans for a possible war against Iraq - is overwhelming." "One Year on: The Arab Perspective: 'America wants to wage war on all of us': Regime Change Seen as New Term for Old Enemy," The Guardian, September 6, 2002, p. 4.
35. The Economist, July 6, 2002, p. 26. Writing a few months after the AHDR came out, and prior to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, David Hirst noted: "[In Cairo] the preoccupation with the two things that seem most fateful for the future - the Israeli-Palestinian struggle and U.S. plans for a possible war against Iraq - is overwhelming." "One Year on: The Arab Perspective: 'America wants to wage war on all of us': Regime Change Seen as New Term for Old Enemy," The Guardian, September 6, 2002, p. 4.
36. Richards, p. 70.
37. Patten, p. 43.
38. Muqtedar Khan, "Prospects for Muslim Democracy," Middle East Policy, Vol. X, Mo. 3, Fall 2003, pp. 79-89.
39. The New York Times, April 26, 2003, p. A19.
40. President George W. Bush, however, made several references to the need to democratize the governments of the region including governments (like Egypt and Saudi Arabia) that have been close U.S. allies. See, for example, President Bush's speech before the National Endowment for Democracy on November 6, 2003. The New York Times, November 7, 2003, pp. A1&16. It remains to be seen whether the administration will combine words with deeds.