http://isq.sagepub.com International Studies RSS feed -- current issue October/December 2008 International Studies 0020-8817 http://isq.sagepub.com:80/icons/banner/title.gif http://isq.sagepub.com http://isq.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/45/4/271?rss=1 The article argues that the Turkish experience with democracy may not offer a ‘model’ for democratization of the Arab states in West Asia and North Africa. It begins with a brief account of institutional and political changes in Turkey since the establishment of the modern Turkish Republic. It also explains how historical and structural conditions conducive to Turkey’s progression to democracy are absent in much of the Arab world. It concludes that the Turkish experience is sui generis and cannot be replicated by any other state in the region. Nevertheless, it does provide an example for Arab liberal reformers, currently campaigning for democracy and political pluralism in the region.

]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:49:40 PST info:doi/10.1177/002088170904500401 4 45 294 2008-10-01 271 Articles http://isq.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/45/4/295?rss=1 The article examines the key developments in Palestinian politics in the post-Arafat era, including the decision of Hamas to participate in the democratic political process. Even though the issue of succession was settled with much more ease than expected, the divisions within the Palestinian movement came to the fore with the electoral victory of Hamas in the January 2006 legislative elections. The subsequent power struggle between Fatah and Hamas completely fragmented the Palestinian community. The author argues that the external actors—particularly the US and Israel—are mostly, though not entirely, responsible for such political fragmentation and the subsequent weakening of the Palestinian movement.

]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:49:40 PST info:doi/10.1177/002088170904500402 4 45 339 2008-10-01 295 Articles http://isq.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/45/4/341?rss=1 India and Europe share the vision of a democratic, multi-cultural and multi-polar world. In the recent past, trade and other economic ties have formed the core of India–EU partnership. Encouraged by positive trends, both have forged a strategic partnership and are negotiating for a broad-based bilateral trade and investment agreement. Despite many positive developments in the economic sphere, Indian policy makers are sceptical about Europe’s role as a major strategic player in Asia. Apart from economic issues, India’s partnership with the EU is still at a ‘dialogue’ level. The main challenge in the coming years will be to broaden the existing economic partnership to cover traditional and non-traditional security issues.

]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:49:40 PST info:doi/10.1177/002088170904500403 4 45 367 2008-10-01 341 Articles http://isq.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/45/4/369?rss=1 India has adopted a policy of pragmatic engagement with multilateral economic organizations in recent years. In the context of India’s economic diplomacy at the World Trade Organization (WTO), where it is seen as one of the major voices of dissent from the developing world, a shift in its traditional posturing is clearly evident. This article seeks to interpret the shift both in the context of structural changes within the WTO and the changing goals of India’s economic policy. In view of the stalemate at the Doha round of negotiations, the article argues that multi-lateral organizations like the WTO need to recognize the role of domestic lobbies and transnational civil society networks in shaping the aspirations of emerging economies like India.

]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:49:40 PST info:doi/10.1177/002088170904500404 4 45 380 2008-10-01 369 Articles http://isq.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/45/4/381?rss=1 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:49:40 PST info:doi/10.1177/002088170904500405 4 45 393 2008-10-01 381 Articles