This book is concerned with the development of civil society in the Arab Middle East with particular reference to the Palestinian case. It shows how external Western donations aimed at building civil society and democracy don't always lead to the anticipated results and documents the rise of Islamist activity often at the expense of secular, liberal movements.

Concerned with the development of civil society in the Arab Middle East, this work shows how external Western donations aimed at building civil society and democracy don't always lead to the anticipated results and documents the rise of Islamist activity often at the expense of secular, liberal movements.