Colonialism In The Middle East

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This paper will discuss how the European colonialism was the primary factor that shaped the modern Middle East and North Africa and the primary cause of state weaknesses in this area. The state as defined by Owen a sovereign political body with worldwide recognition, Its own boundaries, its own flag and the supreme coercive and rule making body” In the Middle East, Colonialism was the power that shaped the state systems, borders, created “defective states system” which the states is still reproducing it. Colonial projects and policies shaped the states’ structure in the Middle East. It created administrative frail regimes in the region with no political experience and feeble institutions. It made the new states relay on the colonial powers…show more content…
It established new states of Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Israel under League of Nations mandate system. Other treaties like Darin agreement 1915 and separate agreements, which established regimes under British protectorate in the Gulf Sheikdoms and Yemen. Therefore, the newly “Colonial” states, regimes and borders reflected the international balance of power, not the people will. The British aim was to protect British India as Any discourse of statehood and independence could only threaten the British position in India in the long…show more content…
First, the politics of the region’s states do not reflect internal politics of the Middle East countries, but reflect politics drawn in London and Paris, or Washington and Moscow during cold war. It reflects the politics of parties, pressure groups, elections or war results. The political dependency continued during the cold war, particularly monarchies during Arab cold war and Iraqi-Iranian war. Therefore, the states in the Middle East became dependent over the international balance of power and the politics of the great powers, to achieve legitimacy, support and

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