The Trilemma of the Nation-State in the Middle East: Diversity, Terrorism and Islamic Constitutionalism

Abstract

The European modern nation-state model was imported to the Middle-East as a readymade form of governance. Yet, since its adoption the region has witnessed three unprecedented phenomena. First, a rise of Islamic movements some of which peacefully while others violently challenge the premises of the nation-state. Second, an eruption of sectarian violence to unprecedented level in the region's history. Third, a glaring paradox evidenced through a bloody division caused by a call of Islamic unity in addition to religious radicalization triggered by secularization. As an alternative path, the paper ponders on the promises and pitfalls of supplementing the existing nation-states with a multilevel constitutional system.