Summary and Review of Marina M. Elgawly’s article “ Realism and Arab Nationalism: An Uneasy Relationship.”

    The Article examines how Arabic Nationalism and Realism are related, as from the first look; they do not seem to have correlations, however, throughout the paper we can observe how Arabic Nationalism Ideology changes in our understanding. The author starts with the possible types of nationalism in the region, later we see the development of the Arabic Nationalism ideology thought, accounts of realism, and how real situations differs from suggested ideology.

    The author suggests two types of nationalism, which can be applied in the region: state-centric and transnational. The concertation of the paper falls on Pan- Arabic nationalism, which supports the unification of all Arabs (transnational). The unification here is based on linguistic and historical ties. Arab nationalism ideologists such as Zaki Al- Arsuzi, Sati Al- Husri, Shaykh’ Abdullah Al- Alayili, basically reject the importance of state and race in the formation of nationalism and see race as a tool of imperialist powers. Importance of common language and historical roots are highlighted, especially, because the Arabic language was the unique instrument to fight with increasing Turkification in the Ottoman Empire.  On the other hand, we have “set of normative values”, where Islam is seen to have another crucial influence on Arab Nationalism. The author argues, “Arab nationalism supports the accounts of realism”. Realism poses state as the main actor in the international system, unlike-  ideology, identity, political leaders, and etc., those Elgawly supports by Carr’s argument: “ideological principles are not principles at all, but facades which allow states to pursue their national interests.” That’s why if we compare the real situation and the Arabic nationalism ideologists accounts, the de facto situation is more likely to be connected to realism, the author brings the examples of unstable cooperation in the region, which under closer observation could be considered rather as a ‘zero-sum’ game, but not the means to overcome the national boundaries.

    Leaving the article alone, in my opinion, Arabic Nationalism is a more delicate issue; we shall keep in mind the Turkish dominance over the area for more than 600 years. Undoubtfully, they were no longer confident in their own identity. They were searching for the means to build and re-build the identity.

    However, unification under common Islamic heritage does not sound convincing in the light of the sectarian problem of the Middle East Region. There could be a certain period when Arab states were aiming to find any common grounds to unify in order to resist the West, their common threat. Nonetheless, when they grew stronger, the borders were shaped, they no longer needed to rely on shaky cooperation. Additionally, they are self-sufficient and with rapid economic growth. Hence, they can act separately and shall not be excluded from International Relations. They hardly can adopt the extension of self and transnationalism, which we observe in the European states because it seems they have a bigger potential and self- sufficiency, at least in the contemporary settings. 

By Ekaterina P.

References:

ELGAWLY, M. M. 2017. Realism and Arab Nationalism: An Uneasy Partnership. Inquiries Journal [Online], 9. Available: http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/a?id=1715