Soldiers of Democracy?: Military Legacies and the Arab Spring

by Dr Sharan Grewal

Why do some militaries support and others thwart transitions to democracy? After the Arab Spring revolutions, why did Egypt's military stage a coup to end the transition? Conversely, why did Tunisia's military initially support the transition, only to later facilitate the elected president's dismantling of democracy?

In Soldiers of Democracy? Military Legacies and the Arab Spring , Sharan Grewal argues that a military's behavior under democracy is shaped by how it had been treated under autocracy. Autocrats who had empowered their militaries produce soldiers who will repress protests and stage coups to preserve their privileges. Meanwhile, autocrats who had marginalized their militaries produce soldiers who support democratization, but who are also more susceptible to incumbent takeovers and civil wars. The dictator's choice to either empower or marginalize the military thus creates legacies that shape both the likelihood of democratization and the forms by which it breaks down.

Drawing on over 140 interviews with civilian and military leaders, and three surveys of military personnel, this scholarly volume illustrates this theory through detailed case studies of Egypt and Tunisia. Grewal also probes the generalizability of the theory through a cross-national analysis of all countries between 1946-2010. Overall, he brings the military front and center to the study of democratic transition and consolidation.

350 pages, Hardcover

Published October 25, 2023

Reviews

[Abdalla Nasef]

Analyzing the conduct of the Egyptian and Tunisian militaries within the context of the Arab Spring, Grewal presents the compelling argument that the manner in which militaries are treated during periods of autocracy plays a pivotal role in shaping their behavior under democratic systems. This perspective not only provides insight into the distinct responses exhibited by these militaries in the face of the uprisings but also sheds light on their divergent reactions to the subsequent waves of political turbulence that ensued.

Podcast episode with author: https://youtu.be/ccHcjy0epeo

My review on Oxford Academic: https://global.oup.com/academic/produ...

[Diane]

This book is largely a case study comparing the fates of Egypt and Tunisia after the Arab Spring. The author focuses on the role of the military in each country. He also includes some quantitative analysis on how militaries either support of oppose democratization. His overall thesis is that powerful militaries are more likely to mount a coup, particularly if they think their perogatives will be threatened. However, weak militaries may support democracy, but also won't stand in the way of an autocrat who seeks to expand his power. The book begins with a chapter of quantitative analysis comparing the role of militaries in regime transitions. Then, the author presents in-depth case studies of Egypt and Tunisia. Finally, the author analyzes some surveys that he conducted of retired military officers in Egypt and Tunisia. He concludes with advice on a successful democratic tradition. I found the author's argument convincing, and the book was well researched and written.

[Oliver Fowler]

Very biased here, this was written by one of my very favorite professors at American University. He taught the class so well that I asked for this for Christmas and got it (used, sorry professor Grewal!)

Anyway he taught our comparative politics class partially out of parts of this book and I am so glad I gave it the full treatment after.

I learned a lot about Tunisia and Egypt and how to apply an interest and incentive based framework to international politics, and even some applications for stuff we’ve been learning in statistics to political science research.

All in all this book was a joy and very informative.

Let’s see how ambushing him during office hours sophomore year to get a signature goes!

5/5 stars!