Quote Originally Posted by Rex Brynen View Post
I'm not sure Ayubi is really obsolete... his main contribution isn't so much on Arab nationalism, but on "articulated" social formations, the evolution of "fierce" state, and the particular role of corporatist (patron-client) -based political consolidation in the absence of (Gramscian) regime-class hegemony. He is, however, an enormously difficult read at the best of times.
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1) The region has been subject to more than its fair share of conspiracies (Sykes-Picot Agreement, the 1953 overthrow of Iranian PM Mossadegh, the 1956 Suez war, etc).
Good point on the depth of Ayubi and even better on #1: history matters in this region, unlike in the U.S. They have long memories and learning the narratives they have learned would certainly help.