Political, Social, Religious and Economic Challenges in the Middle East and North Africa

A decade after the “Arab springs”, the book aims to provide a concise perspective on the political, social and economic challenges of the southern shore of the Mediterranean a decade after the “Arab springs”. The volume, both from a sociolegal and economic perspective, aims to offer readers an analytical and up-todate
picture of the transformations in several particularly significant countries in the area under consideration. The volume thus covers the entire north African and near Eastern coastal belt, from Morocco to Lebanon, and extends its focus into the Gulf. In particular, keeping in the background the Agenda 2020-2030, the book explores, on the one side, the role of the religious factor in the transformation of the constitutional orders and, on the other, the perspectives of economies of MENA region in the decade that followed the “Arab springs”. In a different way, the Arab springs were characterized, from a constitutional point of view, by the attempt at a different relationship between political power and religion. This new arrangement, particularly evident in the Tunisian Constitution, but not absent in other contemporary experiences, was associated with favorable and expanding economic prospects. The book questions the relevance of this reading and how economic and political factors affected subsequent transformations. The situation of each country is individual in that it differs depending on many factors, starting with historical and geographical factors that have profoundly influenced social, political and economic structures. What is to be expected for the MENA region in the light of Agenda 2020-2030? Which are the major opportunities for growth and reform and which are the main risks? By adopting a multidisciplinary approach this book will offer a comprehensive picture of the main political and economic challenges for MENA region.

Flavia Cortelezzi is Associate Professor of Political Economy in the Department of Law, Economics and Culture, at the University of Insubria (Varese and Como,
Italy) and Deputy Director of the Research Centre “Religion, Law and Economy in the Mediterranean Space” (REDESM) at the same University.

Alessandro Ferrari is Full Professor of Law and Religion at the University of Insubria (Varese and Como, Italy) and Director of the Research Centre “Religion,
Law and Economy in the Mediterranean Space” (REDESM) at the same University.

Jinan Limam is Associate Professor in Public Law at the Faculty of Legal, Political and Social Sciences in Tunis.