ABSTRACT
Having looked at the most significant formative influences on the development of the Arab political tradition and the attitudes and practices of Arab leaders, this chapter turns to the fundamental issue of political succession in the Arab world. It examines how the countries of the Arab region have struggled to develop institutionalised mechanisms for the transfer of power from one ruler to another and how they have sought legitimacy on the basis of a range of measures, including traditional practices. Driving the practices of Arab regimes is the motivation of dynastic succession.
