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The Concept of Regional Power as Applied to the Middle East

The Concept of Regional Power as Applied to the Middle East. Amman/Barcelona July 2010 Dr. Martin Beck. Content. 1. Empirical Observation: No regional power in the Middle East 2. Research Question: If not by regional powers, how then is regional politics determined in the Middle East?

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The Concept of Regional Power as Applied to the Middle East

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  1. The Concept of Regional Power as Applied to the Middle East Amman/Barcelona July 2010 Dr. Martin Beck

  2. Content • 1. Empirical Observation: No regional power in the Middle East • 2. Research Question: If not by regional powers, how then is regional politics determined in the Middle East? • 3. Three approaches based on IR schools of thought • 4. Empirical Applications • 5. Conclusion

  3. 1. Empirical Observation: No regional power in the Middle East • Definitional Elements: (a) disposal over high capabilities (b) being integrated into the region and its fora (c) acceptance as a regional power

  4. 1. Potential Regional Powers

  5. 2. Research Question • If not by regional powers, how then is regional politics determined in the Middle East? • Three approaches based on IR schools of thought: - Structural Realism (Neo-Realism) - Institutionalism (Neo-Liberalism) - Constructivism

  6. 3. Three Approaches

  7. 3. Three Approaches: Empirical Observations • 1. Structural Realism - Power is highly dispersed in the Middle East - US-American power capabilities in the Middle East are superior to those of regional actors • 2. Institutionalism - Insignificance of regional institutions - Regional cooperation mostly brokered by the US • 3. Constructivism - Identity: No positive joint vision, no shared identity - Negative shared attitude/ideology of Anti-Americanism

  8. 4. Application I: Deriving Hypotheses for Country Studies

  9. 4. Application II: Conflict Analysis

  10. 5. Conclusion • The Middle East is a highly disrupted multipolar region with a low degree of regional cooperation and identity building. Regional affairs of the Middle East are shaped in a way Structural Realists believe international affairs are shaped in general. • The IR schools produce prognoses on single states‘ behaviour that appear mutually compatible with each other. • The IR schools also produce conflict analyses that are mutually compatible with each other rather than competetive. • However, this does not apply to policy advisory.

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