Public Policy in the Arab World: Responding to Uprisings, Pandemic, and War

Abstract

This book provides a comprehensive account of the transformation of public policy in the Arab world amid the major crises of the past decade, including the Arab uprisings, the COVID-19 pandemic, and protracted conflicts. It argues that these crises exposed the limits of governments’ capacity to address social and economic challenges while raising fundamental questions about governance, legitimacy, and policymaking in unstable settings. Drawing on case studies from across the region, the book examines issues such as poverty, inequality, labor markets, migration, refugees, public health, social protection, and gender equality. It offers an analytical framework for understanding the evolution of public policy in the Arab world and underscores the need for more responsive, resilient, and socially inclusive approaches to governance.