Arab Educational Information Network

This report examines how inequality and personal autonomy are likely to impact on the broad “political settlement” in the Arab region over time. Chapter one provides a historical overview of the political economy of the region. Chapter two focuses on equality of opportunity at the macro level in relation to access to income, education and employment. Chapter three moves to the micro level by focusing on personal autonomy. It defines and measures autonomy in the Arab region and compares it to values held in the rest of the world and among different countries and socioeconomic groups. It additionally demonstrates the existence of a perceived autonomy gap in the Arab region investigates its distribution among countries and groups and analyzes the reasons behind this gap. Finally, the report examines the implications of this gap on attitudes towards various forms of inequality in the region. The report documents an increase in the inequality of access to quality education and to good jobs in several countries of the region. It also finds that while the aspiration for personal autonomy has risen, this has taken place among young educated individuals with low levels of control over their lives, and who consequently have little power to support social change. As a result, the report highlights that several values that enhance social cohesion – such as the tolerance for social and religious differences – have lagged behind changes happening globally. It concludes by specifying a reform agenda, tailored to the different needs of these countries, which puts an emphasis on reducing the inequality of access to quality services and good jobs and improves the development of emancipative social values, mainly through a modernized education system. (Publisher's Abstract)