Abstract
In what is mostly a descriptive study, Owen presents the Middle Eastern states in different categories: the states which have a one-party system, the ones which have a restricted and controlled multi-party rule, the Gulf States mainly under family rule and non-Arab states. In all these countries, except Israel, democracy is only partial, formal or absent. Owen concludes by saying that because of the variety of electoral experiences, it is difficult to generalize the practice of democracy in the Middle East. He says no satisfactory answer can be brought to the question whether Islam is inimical to democracy.
