Refugee Governance in the Arab World : The International Refugee Regime and Global Politics

Abstract

The Arab region has played an oversized role in hosting refugees. Yet a paucity of literature exists on how the region has contributed to shaping the international refugee regime.

This anthology presents the first comprehensive study of how Arab states interact with the international refugee regime. It offers a multidisciplinary perspective bringing together historical, political, legal, sociological, and anthropological approaches. Through a wide range of case studies, the anthology explores how Arab states have created norms and practices of refugee governance beyond – and not necessarily aligned with – international refugee law. It also analyses how Arab states have negotiated and contested international agreements and processes. In doing so, the book 'de-exceptionalizes' the Arab region, positioning states and societies as norm shapers with an impact on global politics beyond the Arab world.