| In the late 1990s, a number of events unfolded in the Arab world which seemed to challenge the idea that Arab states had fundamentally realigned themselves in the American camp after the demise of the Soviet Union. This dissertation examines some of these events using three empirical case studies to test competing hypotheses. Rather than attempting to refute or discredit conventional approaches to the study of International Relations, this dissertation seeks to instead bridge the rationalist/constructivist divide by offering an explanation for observed phenomena based on Jurgen Habermas's concept of the public sphere. The argument being presented is that the development of technologies associated with the new media, in tandem with other processes associated with globalization, has led to the creation of a regional, Arab public sphere which transcends state borders. The existence of this public sphere has forced authoritarian leaders to justify their policies in this public sphere. The interaction and competition between state and non-state actors to define the identity and interests of the state and broader regional community within this public sphere has subsequently altered the decision-making calculus of Arab states, which, in turn, has had an observable impact on political outcomes. |
