Between hierarchy and heterarchy: Post-Arab uprisings' civil–military relations and the Arab state. Issue 2 (15th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hanau Santini, Ruth; Moro, Francesco N.
• Is Part Of: Mediterranean politics. Volume 24:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 137
• Page End: 156
• Publication Date: 2019-03-15
• Subjects: Mediterranean Region -- Politics and government -- 1945- -- Periodicals; 320.91822
• DOI: 10.1080/13629395.2017.1385170
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1362-9395

Abstract

Abstract: Every actor who commands coercive resources plays a relevant role in the complex processes of state restructuring following regime change. The role of armies in the 2010–2011 Arab uprisings has been widely explored, but limited attention has been devoted to how different agents with coercive power have been involved in the restructuring of political order. This contribution presents the theoretical framework within which the remaining empirical contributions are situated. The central insight is that better understanding of the emerging political orders requires moving away from binary notions of hierarchy and anarchy as ordering principles and look at how, within heterarchical political orders, coercive agents behave within fluid state–society relations.