Laura Weir – Graduate Student and Lecturer in Political Science at Case Western Reserve University

Friday April 25, 2008
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Crawford Hall – Room 9
Inamori Center
Case Western Reserve University

The headlines out of Iraq refer to Shi’a and Sunni, Kurds and Arabs. In the past they would have referred to nationalists and communists, or perhaps “conservatives” and “reformers.” In Jordan, the labels include Palestinians and non-Palestinians, West Bank-ers and East Bank-ers. Yet labels based on ideology or even national and geographic origin may disguise the true bases of loyalty, alliance, and rivalry. The most stable bases for loyalty and rivalry are personal obligations and exchanges within social groups. In much of the world, the basic unit of loyalty within much of society is still the tribe.

Laura Weir is completing her Ph.D. research on Jordanian politics. Her case study of Jordan’s recent election provides a snapshot for understanding why tribal politics is important; in what ways and to what extent tribes facilitate or retard political interaction; and how the tribal aspects of politics are developing over time. Her case study explores how tribal politics has contributed to the longevity of authoritarian rulers. At a time when the U.S. military is cutting deals with sheikhs to stabilize sections of Iraq, her research on Jordan should provide a good basis for discussion of the broader challenges facing U.S. policy in the region.

The Friday Lunch is a brown-bag event open to all.  Cookies and some beverages are provided

Our gathering on April 25 concludes the Friday Public Affairs Discussions for the 2007-2008 Academic Year. We will meet again at the beginning of Fall Semester 2008, on August 29. Joe White would like to especially thank the generous participants who contributed for the costs of refreshments this year. He is also extremely grateful to the speakers who so kindly led discussions; to colleagues who have moderated discussions; and to our regular participants who keep the discussion going.

Please contact Joe at joseph.white@case.edu to suggest any speakers for the 2008-2009 series of discussions, or to suggest any ways to improve as we near the 20th year. We will resume sending out weekly announcements in August. When we begin again, if you have announcements that you would like us to add to the sidebar, please send the information to Joe. If you would prefer not to receive the announcements, please inform Dr. Andrew Lucker, Associate Director of the Center for Policy Studies, by e-mail (andrew.lucker@case.edu).

Friday Lunch and Other Public Affairs Upcoming Topics and Speakers:

The Friday Lunch discussions are held on the lower (ground) level of Crawford Hall.  Visitors with mobility issues may find it easiest to take advantage of special arrangements we have made.  On most Fridays, a few parking spaces in the V.I.P. lot in between Crawford Hall and Amasa Stone Chapel are held for participants in the lunch discussion.

Visitors then can avoid walking up the hill to the first floor of Crawford by entering the building on the ground level, through the garage area under the building.  The further door on the left in that garage will be left unlocked during the period before the Friday lunch.  On occasion, parking will be unavailable because of other university events.

For more information about these and other Center for Policy Studies programs, please see http://policy.case.edu.