Date of Award

8-1-1974

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Political Science & Public Administration

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the Arab League and its role in the Arab world. Its primary concern is with Arab unity, the Palestine problem, Arab disputes, and cooperation among Arab states.

Since the establishment of the League in 1945 as an organization through which the various Arab states could work together by voluntary cooperation in all spheres, and as a means toward achievement of Arab unity, many important developments in the Arab world, both in the internal and external fields took place, and led to instability in the Arab world.

The political and social revolutions in the Arab world have led to power struggles and divisions among Arab leaders, and created inter-Arab rivalries and disputes. Because of these the League's activities have been adversely affected, and the League has been unable to achieve the goals for which it was created.

The League, since its birth in 1945, has not succeeded in saving its members from the loss of Palestine, or from the internal intrigues, or from the Baghdad Pact, or from tensions between its members. It showed its impotence in the Arab world for its inability to play politically any useful role in time of crisis.

Despite its ineffectiveness politically, due to political divisions among its members as well as the turbulent conditions prevailing in the Arab world, the League has nevertheless been effective to some extent in cultural and economic measures as the league has obtained the commitments of its members for increased cooperation. And, the League will continue to function voluntarily as long as the Arab leaders are willing to cooperate. It will continue to focus on the common hostility of its member states toward Israel as it has frequently gone on record with expression of its rejection of the legitimacy of the state of Israel and with calls for a return of the Palestinian refugees to their former homes, and it will continue to reflect the balance among Arab governments and the prevailing opinions in the Arab world no matter how conditions change.

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