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CHAPTER SIX Arab Societal Structures and the Regional and International Environments Introduction Clannism (al-‘asabiya) in Arab Society—the Authoritarian Paternalist System and the The societal context in Arab countries is the Family third key factor in explaining the currently deteriorating state of freedom and govern- Clannism, in all its forms, (tribal, clan-based, ance in the region. This chapter looks at communal, and ethnic) (Mohammad Abed al- Each link in the chain both the internal and external dimensions Jabiri, in Arabic, 1995) tightly shackles its fol- takes its portion of of that context. The first dimension includes lowers through the power of the authoritarian the characteristics of societal structures in patriarchal system. This phenomenon, amply freedom from the Arab countries and of the dominant (rentier) discussed in the literature (Hisham Sharabi, individual and delivers mode of production. The second dimension in Arabic, 1990), represents a two-way street relates to the impacts of the regional and in which obedience and loyalty are offered in her or him to the next, global environments surrounding the Arab return for protection, sponsorship, and a share which, in turn, steals a world, which have recently had a stronger of the spoils. influence in detracting from freedom in Clannism implants submission, parasitic further share. Arab countries, particularly in terms of na- dependence and compliance in return for tional liberation. protection and benefits. More damagingly still, clannism is the enemy of personal independ- SOCIETAL STRUCTURES ence, intellectual daring, and the flowering of a unique and authentic human entity. It blocks the energies that lead to growth and a mature, THE CHAIN THAT STIFLES self-reliant intellect. It must do this to ensure INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM its own smooth functioning and to guarantee its sway. The reproduction of this phenom- A number of interrelated factors constricting enon across society turns it into an array of freedom are embedded in Arab societal struc- suffocating institutions that reward loyalty and tures. Despite their diversity and complexity,1 discount performance. One is good so long as each of these factors is a link in an intercon- one’s loyalty is guaranteed; it does not matter, Clannism implants naturally, if one’s performance is poor; and nected chain. Starting with the child’s up- submission, parasitic bringing within the family, passing through woe betide clan members whose loyalty falters, educational institutions, the world of work, however good their performance. dependence and The worst effect of clannism is that it eats and societal formation, and ending with poli- compliance in return tics - both internal and external - each link in into the cohesive force of citizenship and its in- the chain takes its portion of freedom from the stitutional manifestations. Yet clannism is not for protection and 2 individual and delivers her or him to the next, an unalloyed evil. Its positive aspects include benefits. which, in turn, steals a further share. These a sense of belonging to a community and the links reinforce one another in a highly efficient desire to put its interests first. This can amount coercive system. to a total dedication, or self-abnegation, for 1 A sustained and careful research effort is called for in order to deconstruct the Arab societal order, especially in terms of its relation to freedom and good governance. 2 It has been handed down that the Prophet said that “A man’s love for his people” is not clannism, but “it is clannism when a man supports his people in injustice” (Farid Abdel Khaliq, in Arabic, 1998, 213) ARAB SOCIETAL STRUCTURES AND THE REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS 145 the sake of the community that bespeaks an nuclear one. It has however retained at its heart impressive sense of common purpose, one a power structure in which a “pure form” of often stronger than that found in some modern authority remains. This consists of a father (or forms of societal organization. other male in the absence of the natural father) The problem with clannism in Arab coun- who often tends to be authoritarian, bestowing tries is that it produces types of societal organi- and withholding favours; a mother, usually ten- sation that are modern in form but objectively der-hearted, submissive, and resigned, who has Clannism flourishes, backward. Class structure is an example. no say in important matters except behind the and its negative In East Asia, for instance, traditional family scenes; and children who are the objects of the capitalism is responsible for important modern father’s instructions and the mother’s tender- impact on freedom achievements, but in the Arab environment ness. These children are referred to in everyday and society becomes it is associated with a rent-based economic language as “ignorant kids” and “scroungers” model, with all that that suggests by way of and are barred from any say in their dealings stronger, wherever exalting the values of obligation, favouritism, with adults, or any confrontation with them, civil or political and inefficiency. Consequently, family capital- whatever the Convention on the Rights of the ism in the Arab world has failed to realize the Child may provide for on that score. institutions are weak advances of “the Asian miracle.” Obviously, in such male-oriented struc- or absent. A creative – and difficult – challenge for tures girls are subject to a double dose of the future is to find ways to blend such positive freedom-denying authority. aspects of clannism with the concept of citizen- Yet this traditional picture of the authori- ship in order to develop a basis for freedom tarian Arab family is starting to break up as a and good governance. result of the increased pace of social change, Clannism pervades a large number of Arab the influence of modernity, including informa- societal structures, which it transforms into tion and communication technologies, and centres of influence. There are political, mili- changes of a political nature. tary, regional, and administrative allegiances, Contributing powerfully to the erosion and Arab citizens cannot avoid becoming of clannism in Arab households is the rise of ensnared in their nets if they wish to preserve women within the family, sometimes at its head. their status in society, their livelihoods, and There are several reasons for this: increased their personal security. education for girls and their aptitude for, and Clannism flourishes, and its negative im- excellence in educational achievement; wom- pact on freedom and society becomes stronger, en’s increasing contributions to family earnings wherever civil or political institutions that pro- as a result of their growing participation in the Contributing tect rights and freedoms are weak or absent. labour market, -especially amid economic powerfully to the Without institutional supports, individuals are slumps and rising poverty- and particularly in driven to seek refuge in narrowly based loyal- the informal sector, where working conditions erosion of clannism in ties that provide security and protection, thus are both flexible and difficult. Another factor Arab households is the further aggravating the phenomenon. Partisan is that more families are breaking up through allegiances also develop when the judiciary is increasing marital separation of various kinds, rise of women within ineffective or the executive authority is reluc- arrangements that often lead to the woman’s the family, sometimes tant to implement its rulings, circumstances shouldering of responsibility for the children. that make citizens unsure of their ability to Women in the occupied Arab territories and at its head. realize their rights without the allegiances of those in theatres of war have also come to the clan. shoulder increased familial responsibilities In varying degrees, the family, the primary because men are frequently disabled, lost or unit of Arab society, is based on clannism. The detained as a result of the conflict. dosage is larger in clan-based societal groups Another force eroding clannism is the rise and lower in modern urban families, especially of a younger generation inclined, for various affluent ones. reasons, to rebel against the clannish practices The Arab family started as an extended of its forebears. (tribal or clan-based) unit and has ended up as a 146 ARAB HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2004 Education BOX 6-1 Education and Human Rights in Arab Countries The second AHDR (2003) analysed the status of knowledge acquisition and diffusion in the Basic Conclusions: School text books and human rights Arab world and identified a growing knowl- From the study of the contents of school- principles edge gap. It underlined that the largest chal- books and courses in terms of their From the study and analysis of courses substance, goals, and directives, it is clear and text-books in basic education, i.e. at lenge facing Arab education was its declining that they fail to reflect any clear strategy primary and preparatory levels, the main quality. In Arab educational institutions, cur- for the teaching of human rights prin- conclusions are as follows: ricula, teaching and evaluation methods tend ciples and values. Because the general • Among the great quantity of books to rely on dictation and instil submissiveness. principles used in their preparation show analysed, few, if any, texts and objectives little awareness of human rights at that clearly express an awareness of human They do not permit free dialogue and active, level, the presentation of these principles rights. exploratory learning and consequently do not and values is random and unsystematic. • There are indications in some cases open the doors to freedom of thought and criti- Since course components were not con- that initial steps have been taken to ad- cism. On the contrary, they weaken the capac- ceived as parts of a strategy to acquaint vance human rights education. However, ity to hold opposing viewpoints and to think students with such rights, their content, this does not apply equally to all Arab goals and objectives offer little food for countries, and there are no common outside the box.

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