Institutionalization and Globalization in Arab Countries

Abstract

The objective of this research is to determine whether there are paradoxes between institutionalization imperatives, on the one hand, and the contemporary modernization imperatives, on the other hand, in the context of developing countries. In addition, some suggestions for minimizing the possible negative effects of such paradoxes on developing countries are explored.. A random sample of two Arab countries is selected for the purpose of analysis. Literature review and data analysis revealed that there are real paradoxes between institutionalization and globalization in the context of the surveyed Arab countries. Findings from the analysis also indicated the possible negative effects of such paradoxes in the on-going institutionalization and in the implementation of the five-year developmental plans. Carrying out a follow-up system in parallel with planning steps to address incoming varying impulses of globalization on time and consequently maintain plans close to ongoing environmental changes is one possible suggestion regarding the probable effects of the paradoxes. A second suggestion is to adopt a planned and selective national policy that is open to the growing influence of incoming globalization imperatives. This approach would safeguard the cultural and social imperatives of local institutions while still benefiting from the latest scientific and technological advancement of more advanced countries. However, the balance between these two requirements may not always be an easy task because a number of developing countries lack some required technologies and expertise.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s3p617