ABSTRACT
https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315037257/b1a99e0e-3abc-4f17-9d5d-f6711415cb3a/content/inline2_B.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>This survey of what might be called the varieties of democratic experience in the Arab world cannot but give a dismal impression. This is because the successive attempts to institute constitutional and parliamentary government were generally made in good faith. Their realization was believed to be practicable and to lead, moreover, to the prosperity and happiness of the countries which adopted them. Regardless, however, of aspirations and good intentions, the failure was uniform—a failure reminding one of the Latin poet’s rueful confession that he saw and approved what was best, yet ended up following the worst.
