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This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate dynamics surrounding authoritarianism and democratization in the Middle East. Students will delve into a multidimensional analysis, considering historical, political, religious, cultural, and socio-economic factors that have profoundly influenced political structures in the region. Through critical examination, students will develop an understanding of the democratic deficit in the Middle East, probing into the reasons behind the persistence of autocratic and authoritarian regimes. They will also examine why the ME missed the waves of democratization witnessed in Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Africa since the 1970s. Also, they will be able to scrutinize both regional and foreign factors influencing democratization in the Middle East. Special attention will be given to the analysis of the so-called Arab Spring uprisings and revolutions of the past decade. Students will assess why these movements, despite their initial momentum, fell short in establishing democracy in the region.