아프리카ㆍ중동

This paper aims at understanding the fundamental nature of the current political change in the Arab world in order to offer new perspectives which can be utilized to set up a series of new strategies and policies toward the Arab World. Tribalism as one of the fundamental elements of national identity and political and economic system in the Arab world has been a crucial player in the current political change and the future politico-economic structure and system. Thus, it is important to examine how this tradition would affect the future Arab politico-economic environment. Some countries like Libya, Yemen, and Syria have witnessed tribal conflicts in the process of political change and this tribal rivalry would affect decision-making process in the future. Nevertheless, the Gulf countries, where dominant clans and tribes have monopolized the political and economic power, would engage themselves in some level of pluralism.