Cracks in Tradition: Liberal Trends in the Middle East (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780231220613)

A remarkable transformation is taking place in the Middle East. As old ideologies from nationalism to fundamentalism falter, many people are embracing a new vision grounded in secularism, gender equality, and individual freedom. Cracks in Tradition is a bold, data-driven account of the rise of liberal values in the Middle East, revealing the depth and breadth of a movement with the potential to change the course of world politics.

Drawing on more than 70,000 face-to-face interviews and in-depth qualitative insights from Egypt and Tunisia, Mansoor Moaddel rigorously analyzes real-world attitudes and trends. He provides a nuanced portrait of a region in flux, where liberal ideas are gaining strength despite the enduring power of fundamentalism and authoritarianism. Challenging entrenched assumptions and longstanding biases, Moaddel demonstrates that liberalism has emerged organically from within Middle Eastern societies, driven by local social, cultural, and historical dynamics. His groundbreaking model of ideological change shows how key domains of social life--governance, gender, and personal autonomy--are being reshaped by new systems of meaning, spurring the spread of liberal values. Provocatively argued and empirically rich, Cracks in Tradition provides a fresh, optimistic perspective on the future of the Middle East and global democracy.

Author: Mansoor Moaddel
ISBN-10: 0231220618
ISBN-13: 9780231220613
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Language: English
Published: 09/08/2026
Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.17lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.89d