Region-Building in the Arab Middle East

Abstract

This thesis explores the theory and practice of region-building in the Arab Middle East. Despite strong aspirations for a cohesive regional order, the Arab Middle East has been one of the least successful regions to achieve positive forms of consistent cooperation. Rather than attributing this failure to primordial factors or structural deficits, such as competing identities or the lack of democratic institutions, the thesis argues that a key issue lies in the region's misconception of the unity to be achieved through region-building, which has resulted in a misalignment between state autonomy and the creation of a broader regional framework. This argument is developed through historical, theoretical and empirical analyses. Historically, the thesis demonstrates that over the past 100 years, pan-Arabism and pan-Islam have hindered region-building, despite their proclaimed goals. Both strategies have conflated unity with uniformity, forcing states to choose between a false binary of either maintaining separate states or forming supra-regional entities. This pressure to pursue a uniform pan- regional order has often clashed with the need for states to prioritize their own interests. This tension helps explain why, despite strong aspirations for a cohesive regional order, the Arab Middle East has been one of the least cohesive regions in the world. To address the shortcomings of existing approaches to region-building, this thesis introduces a new theory, drawing on insights from federalism. This framework moves beyond the pan- movements’ rigid focus on unity and the statist emphasis on diversity, arguing for a balance that strengthens both individual states and regionalism efforts. Reconsidering federalism as a theory of international relations, the framework offers comparative insights from Europe and the US to show how the balance between state autonomy and region-building has been instrumental in managing and reconciling differences while fostering the development of supranational polities in the EU and the US. The research suggests that adopting a similar framework could offer a more sustainable path for the Arab Middle East, potentially alleviating the historical tensions that have hindered region-building. By highlighting the importance of an equitable balance between unity and diversity as central to successful region-building, the thesis provides original and comprehensive theoretical insights into the foundations of regionalism, while re-establishing the overlooked connection between regionalism and federalism. In its empirical analysis, the thesis applies this theoretical framework to the critical issue of transboundary water scarcity, as the Middle East is the most water scarce region in the world. The study draws lessons from beyond the West by looking at how the Southern African Development Community (SADC) successfully managed region-building concerning water resources while respecting the unique needs of its member states. The research illustrates how a similar approach could be implemented in the Arab Middle East. By fostering cooperation on water management, a new regionalism strategy which balances unity and diversity could help establish the trust and institutional framework essential for broader region-building. Ultimately, the thesis argues that for region-building in the Arab Middle East to succeed, it must move beyond the pursuit of a monolithic approach, which has led to disunity and disintegration. Embracing a more nuanced understanding of regionalism—one that recognizes and accommodates the diverse needs of states within a broader regional framework—could help to pave the way for a more inclusive and effective model of region-building.