The New Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa considers why international and domestic pressures toward democratization have failed to take hold in the Arab world. With a focus on Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, and Algeria, Stephen J. King presents a complex set of variables to characterize authoritarian rule and to understand both its dynamism and stubborn persistence. King addresses, but moves beyond, how religion and the strongly patriarchal culture influence state structure, policy configuration, ruling coalitions, and legitimization and privatization strategies. King shows how the transformation of authoritarianism has taken place among shifting social relations and political institutions and how these changes effect the lives of millions. Ultimately, King's forward-thinking analysis proposes a way to establish future prospects for democracy in the Middle East and North Africa.