Electoral Systems in MENA
The course mainly aims to examine and compare the various existing election systems in the MENA region. We analyze changes in political systems and regimes, electoral laws, and elected chambers, as well as their effects on election results and political parties. The importance of the media was a very important recurring theme throughout the course. The course specifically focused on why the MENA area only witnessed a quick surge of democracy during the Arab Spring in 2011. The course delves into the influence of external and internal factors on these changes, such as international organizations, media, political associations, and women's participation. This course has equipped me with the theoretical and methodological skills to compare political and electoral systems in MENA and other regions. This skill set has been invaluable in my project, as it has allowed me to analyze the Copts' situation in Egypt in comparison to other minority groups in the MENA region and beyond. Overall, this course has provided me with a solid foundation in understanding the political and electoral systems of MENA countries, which has been essential in developing my project on media representation and social integration for the Copts in Egypt.
This picture is very interesting to see how religious groups interacted with one another during the Arab Spring demonstrations, I was able to look into social mobilization and interaction as the course very closely analyzed the 2011 demonstrations in every state and the outcomes. As media is one of the internal factors that influence the electoral system in MENA countries, it was important for me to understand how media works within the context of MENA politics. Through this course, I gained a deep understanding of the political-electoral evolution of MENA countries and the transformations in the party system and electoral procedures. This knowledge has allowed me to better understand the role of media representation in the Copts' exclusion from the national narratives of identity and culture.
Source: The Outreach Foundation