ebooks The Literary Imagination in Jewish Antiquity by Eva Mroczek in History

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For much of its modern history; a combination of deep nervousness and profound lack of interest seemed to inhibit or even prevent regular political conversations in the Arab World. Public spaces were devoid of political discussions: public squares in major cities showed no signs of assemblies for political purposes. If one picked up a newspaper; one was more likely to read about the comings and goings of officials rather than any sort of comprehensive political coverage. In the wake of the Arab Spring; newer media and older forms (such as the daily newspaper) have gradually made it easier for Middle East countries to participate in public debates from a variety of ideological perspectives. The state retreat from social welfare commitments have opened opportunities for a host of new informal groups and organizations to operate in areas previously dominated by officially-controlled bodies. These trends have obviously been noticed by social scientists; but scholars who focus on the large-scale political changes tend to edge into a celebratory tone: the changes are seen as potentially democratizing.Arguing Islam after the Revival of Arab Politics presents an understanding the "revived" forms of Arab politics as they really are; and does not speculate about the democratic future these changes could signal. In particular; this book examines various sites of Arab public life to explore how politics operates. Four kinds of public spheres are brought into focus: small group discussions that straddle the public/private divide (such as diwaniyyas in Kuwait or piety groups in Egypt); public spaces of assembly (such as public squares and mosques); media (both new and old); and parliaments (an institution etymologically founded in philosophizing and pontificating rather than legislating). Further; the author gives due attention to the ways in which these spheres interact to explore how these gradations; affirmations; and subversions of hierarchy; status; and power make up the current political landscape of the Middle East.The resulting work is one that is able to bridge disciplinary boundaries; offering understandings of the new political sphere. Designed to speak beyond a scholarly audience; this volume will contribute to broader public understandings of Islam in practice and of Arab politics as those who participate in it experience it.