The article explores the crisis of democracy in the Arab world, linking it to a deeper identity crisis. It argues that while there are demands for civilian governments and democratic reforms, the fundamental questions of collective identity and governance remain unresolved. This issue, born in the post-independence period, is influenced by a longstanding tension between religion and nationalism.

The article draws parallels to Europe's history, explaining how modern European states emerged through centuries of social and economic transformations, where alliances between monarchs, nobility, and the rising merchant class shaped governance. It emphasizes how Europe’s democratic development was gradual, with religious tolerance and civil governance evolving over time, supported by thinkers like John Locke. However, the Arab world’s path has been different. Its modern states were largely the result of agreements between colonial powers and local elites, without the same historical processes that shaped European democracy.

In the Arab world, this disconnection between state formation and identity led to fragile national identities, often maintained through centralized authority and political repression. The article highlights that this identity crisis manifests in two dominant discourses: one advocating for a return to Islam, and the other emphasizing Arab nationalism. Neither has succeeded in resolving the underlying tensions imposed by colonial borders and modern statehood.

Attempts to reconcile diverse societal components through constitutions and social contracts in the Arab world still focus on tolerance rather than equality, failing to establish a truly inclusive identity. The article concludes by questioning whether it will take the Arab world as long as Europe to transition from the current discourse of tolerance to a fully realized democratic system.