Introduction

This introduction provides an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book is concerned with the changing role of the state in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in the past two decades. It addresses the rationale, context and impact of reform on those states in the region that have already initiated structural adjustment and liberalization programmes, and examines the challenges facing those that are yet to follow this path. The book takes up the question of 'lessons' of globalization after the Asian crisis. It draws examples from three Arab countries of Egypt, Tunisia and Jordan to examine those external political influences that have helped shape their economic policy choices since the 1970s. The book offers a comparative study of the politics of liberalization in Egypt and Syria.