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Social Policy after the Arab Spring: States and Social Rights in the MENA Region

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  • Karshenas, Massoud
  • Moghadam, Valentine M.
  • Alami, Randa

Abstract

We examine prospects for the shift from an authoritarian corporatist social policy regime to a democratic and developmental one, in light of popular socio-economic and political grievances and demands. Social policy can bring about a sense of inclusion, belonging, and rights on the part of beneficiaries, and is necessary for a well-functioning and dynamic economy. Democratic and developmental political systems in the region will largely depend on the social policy regime that emerges from social dialogs among different interest groups. References to recent debates in Tunisia suggest both prospects and challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Karshenas, Massoud & Moghadam, Valentine M. & Alami, Randa, 2014. "Social Policy after the Arab Spring: States and Social Rights in the MENA Region," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 726-739.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:64:y:2014:i:c:p:726-739
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.07.002
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    5. Fakih, Ali & Ghazalian, Pascal L., 2019. "Analyzing the Perceptions of Egyptian Youth about the Arab Spring," IZA Discussion Papers 12618, IZA Network @ LISER.
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    8. Omneya Abdelsalam & Sabur Mollah & Emili Tortosa‐Ausina & Ahmed A. El‐Masry, 2025. "Do political connections matter for bank efficiency in times of crisis?," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(1), pages 602-625, January.
    9. Bilal El Rafhi & Alexandre Volle, 2020. "The Effect of the Arab Spring on Preferences for Redistribution in Egypt," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 66(4), pages 875-903, December.
    10. Ibrahim, Solava, 2021. "The dynamics of the Egyptian social contract: How the political changes affected the poor," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    11. Fallon, Kathleen M. & Mazar, Alissa & Swiss, Liam, 2017. "The Development Benefits of Maternity Leave," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 102-118.
    12. Griffiths, Steven, 2017. "A review and assessment of energy policy in the Middle East and North Africa region," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 249-269.
    13. Tsai, I-Tsung & Mezher, Toufic, 2020. "Rationalizing energy policy reforms in the gulf cooperation council: Implications from an institutional analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    14. Barnet, C. & Maïzi, N. & Selosse, S., 2025. "From hydrocarbon to low-carbon hydrogen: Energy and economic challenges facing the Middle East and North Africa region," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    15. Auktor, Georgeta Vidican & Loewe, Markus, 2021. "Subsidy reforms in the Middle East and North Africa: Strategic options and their consequences for the social contract," IDOS Discussion Papers 12/2021, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    16. Georgeta Vidican Auktor & Markus Loewe, 2022. "Subsidy Reform and the Transformation of Social Contracts: The Cases of Egypt, Iran and Morocco," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-22, February.
    17. Nesrine Dardouri & Abdelkader Aguir & Mounir Smida, 2025. "Exchange Rate Pass-Through to Domestic Prices: Evidence Analysis of a Periphery Country," Post-Print hal-05154078, HAL.
    18. Krafft, Caroline, 2026. "Why are women's employment rates declining in Egypt?," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1719, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    19. El-Hoss, Thomas, 2023. "Reforming Lebanon’s child protection system: Lessons for international child welfare efforts," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    20. Bilal El Rafhi & Alexandre Volle, 2019. "The Effect of the Arab Spring on the Preferences for Redistribution in Egypt," Post-Print hal-02101392, HAL.
    21. Tausch, Arno, 2015. "Europe’s Refugee Crisis. Zur aktuellen politischen Ökonomie von Migration, Asyl und Integration in Europa [Europe's Refugee Crisis. On the current political economy of migration, asylum and integration in Europe]," MPRA Paper 67400, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    22. Amin, Mohammad & Islam, Asif Mohammed, 2022. "The Impact of Paid Maternity Leave on Women’s Employment : Evidence Using Firm-Level Survey Data from Developing Countries," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10188, The World Bank.
    23. Marwa Elnahass & Mohamed Marie & Mohammed Elgammal, 2022. "Terrorist attacks and bank financial stability: evidence from MENA economies," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 59(1), pages 383-427, July.

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