Exploring the Nexus between Sectarianism and Regime Formation in a New Middle East:Theoretical Points of Departure

The purpose of this Special Issue is to examine the nature, causes, and consequences of the Middle East's current sectarian surge. Specifically, how might sectarianism and regime formation/type be inter-related? The evidence from this specific analysis will also address the broader concern of whether the Arab uprisings have given rise to a qualitatively new kind of Middle Eastern politics, such that it makes sense to speak about a ‘new Middle East’. In addition, the Special Issue touches on whether the study of regime formation in a sectarian context requires distinct analytical tools, or whether we can stick to the already existing approaches from the (post)democratization tradition. In order to provide a theoretical context within which the contributors locate their research focus, this introductory article will first provide an overview of two prominent debates in Middle East politics in recent years, which together constitute what we coin as the regime formation/sectarianism nexus.</p