Analysis of weak state structures in the Middle East using the examples of Iran, Egypt and Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT By examining the approach of Islam to state governance from history to the present, we analyzed the state and social structures of Iran, Egypt and Saudi Arabia and investigated the fundamental reasons for the weak state structures in the region. The states of Iran, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which constitute the subject of the thesis, are considered to be important power centers in the Middle East geography today. These countries were studied because they have the capacity to direct the masses and influence the fate of the region in geographical, military, economic and cultural terms. The fundamental reasons for the weak state structures in the Middle East were analyzed through these sample states. We studied the factors that were effective in the weak states of these three states, which pioneered different interpretations of Islam in the ancient Middle East geography and had the potential to become regional powers. The fact that a large part of the crowded population of Egypt, which is eager to lead the Arab states, is in poverty, the army has a say in every area of the country's governance, and the lack of democratic participation of the people in governance constitute the weaknesses of this state, and the factors that are effective in these factors were analyzed. The authoritarian political structure, post-colonial interventions and economic factors have played a role in the weak character of Iran, which is the patron of the Shiite population. Religion-state relations emerge as an important normative value in the region. The reason why Saudi Arabia, which has important cities of Islam, cannot become a regional power is its administrative structure lacking social legitimacy, its relations with colonial powers and the lack of political and public structures expected in a modern state constitute the impasses of this state. From history to the present, religion, state, society and political relations have been in a constant struggle in Muslim countries in the Middle East. In these states, which can still be considered young, political, military and economic structures have not been institutionalized like their contemporaries in the West. Although these states have the geographical, historical, human, cultural and economic resources necessary to become a regional power, they have not been able to show the expected impact.