ABSTRACT
Prelude to communitarianism For more than a half century, Middle Eastern exceptionalism has prevailed as a dominant discourse in the interpretation of Arab politics. The Arab Spring, however, presented a serious challenge to traditional assumptions. Among alternative propositions is the Middle Eastern double movement theory being advanced as an explanatory framework for post-Arab Spring politics. At its core is a fundamental interplay of global liberalism and emerging communitarianism. This chapter takes a closer look at the foundations of communitarianism as it evokes competing foundations for local protectionism and presents itself as a viable ideological alternative to the prevailing nationalist politics.
