Pan-Arabism: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:57, 10 December 2005

Revision as of 17:50, 14 December 2005

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A more formalized pan-Arab ideology than that of Hussein was first espoused in the [[1930s]], notably by [[Syria]]n thinkers such as [[Constantin Zureiq]], [[Zaki al-Arsuzi]] and [[Michel Aflaq]]. Aflaq and al-Arsuzi were key figures in the establishment of the [[Ba'ath Party| Arab Ba'ath (Resurrection) Party]], and the former was for long its chief ideologist, combining elements of Marxist thought with a nationalism to a considerable extent reminiscent of nineteenth-century European romantic nationalism. <!-- Aflaq combined [[palingenetic]] [[socialism]] and [[Italy|Italian]] [[fascism]] with elements of [[19th-century]] [[European]] [[anti-Semitism]] and xenophobic hatreds of other non-Arab nationalities, in particular [[Persian|Persians]]. some sort of reputable source for this characterisation of Aflaq's thought would be nice --> A pan-Arab ideology lay at the basis of various attempts over the past fifty years to unite various Arab nation-states, most notably the short-lived [[United Arab Republic]], which united [[Egypt]] and [[Syria]].

In contrast to [[pan-Islamism]], [[Pan-Arabism]] is secular and many prominent Pan-Arabs, such as Aflaq were non-Muslims. Similarly, [[Tariq Aziz]], a Christian and the deputy prime minister of [[Iraq]] under [[Saddam Hussein]], was another prominent pan-Arabist. However, in de-emphasizing the role of [[Islam]], pan-Arab ideology has been accused of inciting prejudice against and downplaying the role of non-Arab [[Muslim]] peoples such as the [[TurkTurkic Peoples|Turks]], [[Persians]], and [[Kurd|Kurds]], amongst others. More importantly however, pan-Arabism, in the name of unity, has helped inspire [[pogrom|pogroms]] against Non-Arab/Non-Muslim Minorities such as the persecution of [[Assyrian people|Assyrian]] [[Christians]] in Iraq, and later of the [[Kurd|Kurds]]. Pan-Arabism is almost always confused with Pan-Islamism in the western world, and the distinction between them is rarely talked about in Western media.

The [[Syria]]n government is, and the former government of [[Iraq]] was, led by the [[Ba'ath Party]], which espouses pan-Arabism. The high point of the pan-Arab movement was in the [[1960s]], but pan-Arabism was strongly hurt by the Arab defeat by Israel in the [[Six Day War]] and the inability of pan-Arabist governments to generate economic growth. By the late [[1980s]], pan-Arabism began to be eclipsed by [[Islamist]] ideologies. It continues however, to exert a strong influence and nostalgic influence in Arab [[print]] [[media]] and [[intellectual]] circles, particularly in the [[Levant]] and [[Egypt]].