https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46135 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:01:24 GMT 2026-04-07T05:01:24Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46458 Title: The Arab Middle East and the West : where to from here? Abstract: In January 2011 the Arab Uprisings brought into sharp focus a decades-long process of social and economic change that had largely been denied effective political expression in most of the Arab non-oil exporting countries of the region. Irrespective of possible political developments in the aftermath of that period, the future of most Arab countries now clearly hinges on a conundrum: in all but a few cases, reform to improve the capacity of states to meet the challenges ahead is essential, because all the alternatives are worse; but the pursuit of such reform is certain to affect long-established political, economic and social arrangements, and the privileges and interests of those who have been the primary beneficiaries of those systems. There are too many variables attached to regional politics in the Middle East to permit one to move with even modest confidence beyond the explanatory function of social science into the far more hazardous business of prediction. Common sense requires considerable caution in foreshadowing the ways in which current and emerging issues will come together, and be addressed, by the region and its leaders in coming years. Wed, 01 Oct 2014 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46458 2014-10-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46451 Title: African civil society and democratisation Abstract: Explanations of successful democratic transitions and subsequent entrenchment of democratic institutions often emphasis the role played in these processes by extensive and densely woven civil society organisms. The associational life assembled in civil society as well as in well organised political parties are both viewed as very important in helping to establish and build democratic political systems. In this presentation we will consider African civil society’s contribution to democratic development. We will do this by investigating the politically relevant activities of civil society in six of Africa’s stronger democracies, in the six countries in which two alternations in office of parties and or presidents have occurred through elections. Double electoral turnovers are often cited as evidence of democratic accomplishment. We will survey each of the countries in turn. A preliminary consideration of the development of their party politics will provide useful background for an exploration of the extent to which civil society in each setting has enhanced democratic politics. Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46451 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46450 Title: Report on the regional conference on the OSCE code of conduct on politico-military aspects of security for the Mediterranean region Authors: Lutterbeck, Derek; Wohlfeld, Monika; Sammut, Daniel Abstract: From 11-13 September 2013, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Conflict Prevention Centre, in partnership with the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies in Malta (MEDAC), organized a conference on the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security (CoC). The conference was hosted by the Government of Malta and cosponsored by the OSCE participating States Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The conference was the sixth regional seminar on the Code of Conduct mandated by the OSCE’s Forum for Security Co-operation, with previous seminars being held in Kazakhstan (2008), Bosnia and Herzegovina (2009), Belarus (2010), Ukraine (2011) and Latvia (2012). The Malta Conference was the first ever conference on the Code of Conduct destined specifically for the Mediterranean region and involving regional OSCE participating States as well as the majority of the OSCE’s Mediterranean Partners for Cooperation: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. An important step in facilitating regional discussions on the CoC in the Mediterranean area has been the translation of the Code of Conduct into Arabic in 2013, upon the request of the Secretary General of the League of the Arab States, which was realized and co-sponsored by Germany and Switzerland. Description: This document contains Table of Contents, Annexes, Conference Agenda, including the Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malta Hon. George Vella, a list of participants, and photo insets. Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46450 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46449 Title: The role of civil society in democratic transition : the case of Jordan Abstract: Transitions in Arab States have triggered a debate among scholars as to whether the outcome of the 2011 uprisings is yielding the hopes and aspirations of people who took off to the streets demanding freedom and justice. In post-uprising states, like Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, transition essentially means state building – a complete overhaul of all state institutions and decision-making processes. In Jordan and Morocco, both quasi-democratic monarchies, the response to popular demands has been led by the Monarchs through gradual top-down reforms. In both scenarios alike, I argue that the role of an independent and robust civil society is integral in the process of consolidating a democracy. While it is evident that civil society is fundamental in state building, I emphasize that even in top-down democratic transition civil society is the backbone of a successful consolidated democracy. In specific, I take the case of Jordan to demonstrate that King Abdullah’s reform vision, expressed in his recently published discussion papers, can only materialize if a broad ownership of the proposed political and economic reforms is established with an active civil society. Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/46449 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z