Identities and Geopolitics in the Middle East- Houses Built on Sand
A summary of Lecture notes regarding the Middle Eastern and North African region and the issues surrounding peace and violence.
The notes include references to key thinkers and basic definitions of key ideas to the module.
The notes also discuss new and old wars in the MENA region.
What defines the Middle East? (MENA)
The Middle East’s borders have often been loosely defined, ranging from wide regions of
North Africa and Western Asia. The term ‘Middle East’ is a largely colonial construct and to
decolonise this term would more accurately define the area discussed as West Asia or
Southwest Asia and North Africa.
The more specific borders to this region are:
• Eastern Border – Iran
• Northern Border – Turkey
• Western Border – Egypt
• Southern Border – Yemen
Key thinkers
- Schmitt: “Protego Ergo Obligo” – Responsibility to Protect.
- Charles Tilly: “States make War and War makes States”
- Fromkin: A peace to end all peace
- Barr: A line in the sand
- Clausewitz
- Kaldor
- Berdal
Definitions:
Peace – Not just the absence of large-scale physical violence but also the presence of
harmony and economic and social justice. John Galtung defined peace as simply the absence
of violence.
Positive Peace – There are two models of peace, positive peace is the absence of indirect and
structural violence. More accurately, the existence of just and equitable government and
social structures. This is the kind of peace most should be striving to establish and is more
sustainable in the long run compared to negative peace.
Negative Peace – The opposing model of peace strives for an absence of physical violence
only, and an end to physical aggression with a restoration to political order. While this sounds
like a beneficial model, indirect structural violence will remain, causing higher levels of
discrimination, inequality, and injustice.
Violence – The incapacitation and deprivation of health, along with the avoidable impairment
of fundamental human rights and needs. ‘Avoidable’ is the key term when discussing
violence. Violence can also include aggression of any form, whether physical, psychological,
cultural aggression or social injustice.
Economic and Cultural Violence – This section of violence can range from poverty, bullying,
discrimination, misogyny, transphobia and more. Essentially any form of directed aggression
towards a certain group or community. This violence is caused by the prevailing attitudes and
beliefs that justify and legitimise the structural violence, making it seem like the ‘norm’.
Direct Violence – All forms of physical aggression and violence.
Indirect Violence – Forms of structural and cultural violence. This may not initially be seen
as violence to external observers because it is directed violence made to seem like ‘normal’
social injustice. Those who are benefitting from structural or cultural violence will often not
notice the aggression happening.
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