Nur Otan,Informal Networks and the Countering of Elite Instability in Kazakhstan: Bringing the ‘Formal’ Back In

As opposed to the current literature which argues that informal politics pervades formal institutions in Kazakhstan and Central Asia more widely, this article argues that Nur Otan, the political party of the President of Kazakhstan, acts as a formal institution to counter the instability generated by informal networks competing for access to political and economic resources. This is achieved by consolidating the political parties associated with these networks into Nur Otan and the synchronisation of the party and the state apparatus. However, the extent to which Nur Otan can provide this stabilising function in the long term is dependent upon regime dynamics.     

Assisted reproductive technologies and the pitfalls of unregulated biomedical innovation

This Article suggests that the time has come to reconsider the safety and effectiveness of fertility drugs in order to combat some of the continuing problems arising from the overly aggressive use of assisted reproductive technologies, especially the health hazards associated with multifetal pregnancies. After critically assessing the arguments made by some commentators about the power of malpractice law to curb any abuses of fertility clinics and specialists, the Article concludes that the Food and Drug Administration should consider restricting or withdrawing pharmaceutical products used to induce ovulation. Although such a drastic move would not prevent the continued use of in vitro fertilization and other advanced fertility treatments, it would dramatically reduce the frequency of multifetal pregnancies, and it should not run afoul of any constitutional protections of procreative liberty.     

C. Reviews and notes: bibliographies and works of reference

FAHARIS AL‐MAKHTUTAT AL‐'ARABIYYA FI AL‐'ALAM. Compiled by KURKIS ‘AWWAD. Kuwait, Ma'had al‐Makhtūtat al‐'Arabiyya, 1984. 2 vols. 445; 448pp.

A SURVEY OF THE SCIENTIFIC MANUSCRIPTS IN THE EGYPTIAN NATIONAL LIBRARY. By DAVID A. KING. (American Research Center in Egypt: Catalogs, 5.) Winona Lake, Eisenbrauns, 1986. xiv, 331pp. (incl. illustrations on pp.221–331). US $54.50 (cloth); US $39.50 (paperback).

AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ISLAMIC SCIENCE. By SEYYED HOSSEIN NASR. Tehran 1975–78, reprinted Lahore, Suhail Academy, 1985. lxiv, 432; xi, 317pp. Pak.Rs. 290 or £10.00.

INDEX OF BAHRAIN MANUSCRIPTS. By ALI ABA HUSSAIN. Translated by B.K. NARAYAN. Bahrain, Historical Documents Centre, 1986. 166pp., plates.

FIHRIS AL‐MAKHTUTUT AL‐'ARABIYYA FI MAKTABAT STRASBURGH AL‐WATANIYYA WA‐L‐JAMI'IYYA. By NAZIH KUSAYBI. (Manshūrat Ma'had al‐Makhtūtat al‐'Arabiyya.) Kuwait, al‐Munazzama al‐'Arabiyya li‐1‐Tarbiya wa‐1‐Thaqafa wa‐l‐'Ulūm, 1985. 204pp. 5 plates.

MAKHTUTAT AL‐SAYYID MUHAMMAD BAQIR AL‐TABATABA'I FI KARBALA’. By SALMAN HADI AL‐TU'MA. Kuwait (publisher as above), 1985. 287pp.

HANDLIST OF ARABIC MANUSCRIPTS (NEW SERIES) IN THE PRINCETON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY. By RUDOLF MACH and ERIC L. ORMSBY. Princeton, Princeton University Press, 1987. xiv, 402pp. £50.30.

CATALOGUE OF ISLAMIC MANUSCRIPTS (IN ARABIC, TURKISH AND PERSIAN) IN THE LIBRARIES OF TURKEY. Edited by EKMELEDD?N ?HSANOGGLU, and prepared by RAMAZAN ?E?EN, CEM??L AKPINAR and CEVAD ?ZG?. Istanbul, Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture, 1984. 524pp. US $10.00.

HANDLIST OF ISLAMIC MANUSCRIPTS ACQUIRED BY THE INDIA OFFICE LIBRARY, 1938–85. Compiled by URSULA SIMS‐WILLIAMS. London, s.n., 1986. 30pp.

TOPKAPI SARAYI MÜZES? OSMANLI ARS?V? KATALOGU. FERMANLAR. I Fasikül No. E. 1–12476. Compiled by Ismail Hakki UZUNCARSILI, ?brahim Kemal BAYBURA and Ülkü ALTINDAG. (Türk Tarih Kurumu VII ser., no. 81.) Ankara, Türk Tarih Kurumu Basimevi, 1985. xii, 105pp. TL. 880.

DER OSMANISCHE STATTHALTER ISKENDER PASCHA (Gest. 1571) UND SEINE STIFTUNGEN IN ÄGYPTEN UND AM BOSPORUS [THE OTTOMAN GOVERNOR ISKENDER PA?A (d. 1571) AND HIS WAQFS IN EGYPT AND ON THE BOSPHORUS]. By GERD WINKELHANE and KLAUS SCHWARZ. (Islamwissenschaftliche Quellen und Texten aus deutschen Bibliotheken [Sources and texts for Islamic studies in German libraries], vol. 1.) Bamberg, Aku‐Verlag, 1985. vi, 361 pp., 7 illustrations.

ISLAMIC STUDIES: LITERATURE ON QURAN IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE: A BIBLIOGRAPHY. By MUHAMMAD ADIL USMANI. Karachi, Islamic Documentation and Information Centre, n.d. [c. 1985]. xii, 95pp.

TEXTUAL SOURCES FOR THE STUDY OF ISLAM. Edited and translated by ANDREW RIPPIN and JAN KNAPPERT. Manchester, Manchester University Press, 1986. xii, 209pp. Map. £25.00 hardback; £6.75 paperback.

IGNÁC GOLDZIHER: HIS LIFE AND SCHOLARSHIP AS REFLECTED IN HIS WORKS AND CORRESPONDENCE. By RÓBERT SIMON. Budapest, Library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences; Leiden, Brill, 1986. 457pp. Plates. HFI. 180.‐

ANALYSE DER GESCHICHTSBÜCHER ZUM THEMA ISLAM. By MONIKA TWORUSCHKA. (Der Islam in den Schulbüchern der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, 1.) Braunschweig, Georg‐Eckert‐Institut für internationale Schulbuchforschung, 1986. xxi, 343pp. DM 29.‐

ANALYSE DER EVANGELISCHEN RELIGIONSBÜCHER ZUM THEMA ISLAM. By UDO TWORUSCHKA. (Der Islam in den Schulbüchem der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, 2.) Braunschweig, Georg‐Eckert‐Institut für internationale Schulbuchforschung, 1986. xix, 300pp. DM 27.‐

INDEX OF ISLAMIC LITERATURE, 1986. Leicester, Islamic Foundation, 1987. 136pp.

BULLETIN CRITIQUE DES ANNALES ISLAMOLOGIQUES. (Supplément aux Annales Islamologiques, Vol.4.) Cairo, Institut Français d'Archéologie Orientale, 1987. 208pp.

A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS ON ISLAM. By MUHAMMAD ADIL USMANI and AKHTAR H. SIDDIQUI. (Islamic Studies no. 4CE.) Karachi, Islamic Documentation and Information Centre, 1985. iv, 126pp.

AL‐ISTISHHADAT AL‐MARJI'IYYA WA‐DAWRUHA FI AL‐BAHTH: DIRASA TATBIQIYYA ‘ALA BUHÜTH AL‐ANZIMA FI MA'HAD AL‐IDARA AL‐'AMMA (1392–1402 A.H.). By NAIM HASAN AL‐SAMADI. Riyadh, Ma'had al‐Idara al‐'Amma, 1406/ 1985–6. 120pp.

A READER'S GUIDE: THE DEVELOPMENT OF BAHA'I LITERATURE IN ENGLISH. By EUNICE BRAUN. Oxford, George Ronald, 1986. 164pp. Frontispiece. £8.95.

THE FIRST ARAB BIBLIOGRAPHY: FIHRIST AL‐'ULUM. By HANS W. WELLISCH. (University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Occasional Papers No.175.) Urbana‐Champaign, University of Illinois, 1986. 42pp. US$ 3.

BIBLIOGRAPHIE DES OUVRAGES ARABES OU RELATIFS AUX ARABES PUBLIÉS DANS L'EUROPE CHRÉTIENNE DE 1810 A 1885. Par VICTOR CHAUVIN. Liège, 1892–1922; reprinted Paris, Institut du Monde Arabe, n.d. [1987?], with preface by Josée Balagna. 12 parts in 4 vols.

ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE ARAB WORLD: AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY. By JAMIL E. JREISAT and ZAKI R. GHOSHEH. (Public Affairs and Administration series, 14.) New York, Garland Publishing, 1986. xxx, 259pp. US $49.00.

FIHRIS TA'RIKHI LI‐L‐MU'ALLAFAT AL‐TÜNISIYYA. By JEAN FONTAINE. Tunis, al‐Mu'assasa al‐wataniyya li‐1‐tarjama wa‐1‐tahqiq wa‐1‐dirasat (Bayt al‐hikma), 1986. 290pp. TD 6.500

AL‐BIBLIYÜGHRAFIYA AL‐WATANIYYA AL‐SURIYYA: MULHAQ, 1984. Damascus, Maktabat al‐Asad, 1987. 364pp.

JERUSALEM AND THE HOLY LAND: A PHAIDON CULTURAL GUIDE. Ed. by M. MEHLING. Oxford, Phaidon, 1987. 324pp. 284 colour ills. 9 maps. £9.95.

AJDADUNA FI THARA BAYT AL‐MAQDIS. By KAMIL JAMIL AL‐'ASALI. Amman, Al‐Majma’ al‐Malaki li‐Buhūth al‐Hadara al‐Islamiyya (Royal Academy for Islamic Civilization Research, Al Albait Foundation), 1981. 325pp. 78 illustrations. 12 plans and maps.

AL‐SIHAFA AL‐'ARABIYYA FI FILASTIN, 1876–1948. (THE ARAB PRESS IN PALESTINE.) Compiled by YUSUF Q. KHURI. Beirut & Washington, Institute for Palestine Studies, 1986. 272pp. US $10.00

AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN, 1920–1983. Amman, The Royal Academy for Islamic Civilization Research (Al Albait Foundation). 1984. 211pp.

BOOKS FROM THE ARAB WORLD: A GUIDE TO SELECTION AND ACQUISITION. By KATHERINE VAN DE VATE. (Middle East Libraries Committee Research Guides, 4.) Durham, Middle East Libraries Committee, 1988. iv, 55pp. £5.25.

ADAPTATIONS OF DDC IN THE MIDDLE EAST. By MAHVASH K. MOMENI. (Occasional Papers/University of Illinois, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, 170.) Champaign, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign, 1985. 41pp. US $3.00.

ASMA’ AL‐KUTUB. By ‘ABD AL‐LATIF B. MUHAMMAD RIYADIZADA. Edited by Muhammad al‐Tūnji. 2nd edition, Damascus, Dar al‐Fikr, 1983.398pp. US $6.00.

MODERN ARABIC LITERATURE. Compiled and edited by ROGER ALLEN. (A Library of Literary Criticism.) New York, Ungar, 1987. xxxiv, 370pp. US$75.00.

DALIL AL‐I'LAAM WA‐L‐A'LAM FI AL‐'ALAM AL‐'ARABA, 1985–1986. Edited by NAJI NU'MAN (NA'MAN). Jounieh, Dar Nu'man li‐1‐Thaqafa, 1985. 627pp. US $125.00.

?STANBUL KÜTÜPHANELER? ARAP HARFLERI SÜREL? YAYINLAR TOPLU KATALOGU 1828–1928. UNION CATALOGUE OF THE PERIODICALS IN ARABIC SCRIPT IN THE LIBRARIES OF ISTANBUL. Compiled by HASAN DUMAN. (Bibliographical Series, 3.) Istanbul, Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture, 1406/1986. XXXVIII, 602pp. (24pp.‐Arabic). US $25.00

DALIL AL‐ABHATH AL‐TARIKHIYYA FI AL‐MAJALLAT AL‐SURIYYA. Compiled by MUHAMMAD MUTI’ AL‐HAFIZ and GHAZWAT BUDAYR. Damascus, Dar al‐Fikr, 1986. 224pp. 25 Syrian pounds or US $3.00.

AL‐FAHARIS AL‐TAHLILIYYA LI‐L‐TARBIYA AL‐'ARABIYYA AL‐ISLAMIYYA. Amman, Al‐Majma’ al‐Malaki li‐Buhūth al‐Hadara al‐Islamiyya, Mu'assasat Al al‐Bayt (Royal Academy for Islamic Civilization Research, Al Albait Foundation), 1985.2 vols. 228; 357pp.

HERB DRUGS AND HERBALISTS IN TURKEY. By K.H.C. BA?ER, GISHO HONDA and WATARU MIKI. (Studia Culturae Islamicae, 27.) Tokyo, Institute for the Study of Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa, 1986. 300pp., illustrations.

HERB DRUGS AND HERBALISTS IN PAKISTAN. By KHAN USMANGHANI, GISHO HONDA and WATARU MIKI. (Studia Culturae Islamicae, 28.) Tokyo, do., 1986. 285pp., illustrations.

IRAN. Compiled by REZA NAVABPOUR. (World Bibliographical Series, 81.) Oxford, Clio Press, 1988. 310pp. £39.50.

IRAN AND THE WEST: A CRITICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY. By CYRUS GHANI. London, Kegan Paul International, 1987. viii, 967pp. £65.

FIHRIST‐E MAQALAT‐E JANG‐E TAHMILI DAR MATBU'AT‐E IRAN. Compiled by MARKAZ‐E MADARIK‐E FARHANGI‐YE INQILAB‐EISLAMI. Tehran, Wizärat‐e Irshad‐e Islami, 1364 [1986]. 438pp. 500 riyals.

MARCO POLO BIBLIOGRAPHY 1477–1983. MARUKO PORO SHOSHI. Compiled by HIROSHIWATANABE. Tokyo, The Toyo Bunko, 1986. 345pp.

THE HEIR OF PARHAM: ROBERT CURZON, 14th BARON ZOUCHE. By IAN H.C. FRASER. Alburgh, Paradigm Press, 1986. xviii, 230pp. 25 illustrations, map. £19.50.

BALKAN MILITARY HISTORY: A BIBLIOGRAPHY. By JOHN E. JESSUP. New York, Garland, 1986.478pp. US$ 66.00.

MUSLIM ARCHITECTURE OF THE IBERIAN PENINSULA: EASTERN AND WESTERN SOURCES FOR HISPANO‐ISLAMIC BUILDING ARTS. By FRANÇOIS‐AUGUSTE DE MONTÊQUIN. West Cornwall (USA), Locust Hill Press, 1987. 241pp. US$30.00.

ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM, OXFORD: CATALOGUE OF ISLAMIC SEALS AND TALISMANS. By LUDVIK KALUS. Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1986. 120pp. 12 pages of illustrations. £40.00.

ARMENIAN RUGS FROM THE GREGORIAN COLLECTION: A CATALOGUE OF THE EXHIBITION ... 1986, MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA. By ARTHUR T. GREGORIAN and JOYCE GREGORIAN HAMPSHIRE. Newton (USA), the authors, 1986. 81pp. 46 ills., map.

500 ÉV OSZMÁN‐TÖRÖK SZONYEGMUVÉSZETE. FIVE HUNDRED YEARS IN THE ART OF OTTOMAN‐TURKISH CARPETMAKING. By FERENC BATÁRI. Budapest, Museum of Applied Art, 1986. [47]pp. 84 illustrations.

RÉGI KELETI SZONYEGEK BUDAPESTI MAGÁNGYUJTEMÉNYEKBOL. ANCIENT ORIENTAL RUGS FROM PRIVATE COLLECTIONS IN BUDAPEST. By FERENC BATÁRI. Budapest, Budapest Gallery and Museum of Applied Art, 1986. [31]pp. 46 illustrations. Ft. 50.‐

THE MEED MIDDLE EAST FINANCIAL DIRECTORY 1987. London, Middle East Economic Digest, 1987. 348pp. £60.00.

ARABIAN INSURANCE GUIDE, 1987. Compiled by PAUL LANG, JOANNE GIBBONS and ELIZABETH HUTCHINS. (Fourth Edition) Wellingborough, Beacon Publications, 1987. 198pp.

MIDDLE EAST ORGANIZATIONS IN WASHINGTON, DC: OCTOBER 1986. Compiled by THE MIDDLE EAST INSTITUTE. Washington, Middle East Institute, 1986. [vi], 82pp. US$ 6.00.

ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF THE THIRD WORLD. By GEORGE THOMAS KURIAN. New York & Oxford, Facts on File, 1987. 3 vols. 2342pp. Maps. £95.00.

AL‐MISBAH: STUDENTS’ DICTIONARY, ENGLISH‐ENGLISH‐ARABIC. Compiled by NAYEF KHARMA and ANTHONY EYRE. Beirut, Libraire du Liban & Harlow, Longman, 1986. XII, 442pp. £9.00.

HARRAP'S ENGLISH‐ARABIC BASIC LEARNER'S DICTIONARY. Edited by NAGI ABBOUD. London, Harrap, 1986. 369pp. £4.50.

AL‐MUGHNI AL‐AKBAR, A DICTIONARY OF CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH (ENGLISH‐ARABIC). By HASAN S. KARMI. Beirut, Librairie du Liban, 1987. 1710pp. Coloured and monochrome plates. £49.50

A DICTIONARY OF EGYPTIAN ARABIC: ARABIC‐ENGLISH. Compiled by MARTIN HINDS and EL‐SAID BADAWI. Beirut, Librairie du Liban, 1986. 981pp. 10 plates. £45.00.

THE ENGLISH‐ARABIC DICTIONARY OF PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS TERMS. Compiled by SABA & CO. London, Middle East Economic Digest, 1987. 210pp. £30.

COMPARATIVE BASIC VOCABULARY OF KHONJI AND LARI. By KOJI KAMIOKA, ATAOLLAH RAHBAR and ALI AKBAR. (Larestani Studies 2; Studia Culturae Islamicae 30.) Tokyo, Institute for the Study of Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa, 1986. 125pp.

PHILOLOGIA ARABICA: ARABISCHE STUDIEN EN DRUKKEN IN DE NEDER‐LANDEN IN DE 16de EN 17de EEUW. Edited by FRANCINE DE NAVE. (Publikaties van het Museum Plantin‐Moretus en het Stedeiijk Prentenkabinet, 3.) Antwerp, Museum Plantin‐Moretus, 1986. cxlix, 236pp. Plates.

GESCHICHTE UND FUNKTION EINIGER POLIT1SCHER TERMINI IM ARABISCHEN DES 19. JAHRHUNDERTS (1798–1882). By HELGA REBHAN. Wiesbaden, Harrassowitz, 1986. 205pp. DM 68.‐

COMPARATIVE VOCABULARY OF SOUTHERN ARABIC: MAHRI, GIBBALI AND SOQOTRI. By AKI'O NAKANO. (Studia Culturae Islamicae, 29.) Tokyo, Institute for the Study of Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa, 1986. 182pp.

STRUKTURELLE GRAMMATIK DES NEUPERSISCHEN (FARSI). Bd. I. PHONOLOGIE. EINE PARADIGMATISCH‐SYNTAGMATISCHE DARSTELLUNG. By MOHAMMAD‐REZA MAJIDI. (Forum Phoneticum, Bd. 34, 1.) Hamburg, Helmut Buske Verlag, 1986. 355pp. DM64.‐

THE WEST BANK HANDBOOK: A POLITICAL LEXICON. By MERON BENVENISTI, with ZIAD ABU‐ZAYED and DANNY RUBINSTEIN. Jerusalem, Jerusalem Post, 1986. 228pp. Maps.

KUTADGU B?L?G GRAMER?: F??L. By AHMET B. ERC?LASUN. (Gazi Üniversitesi Yayin 33.) Ankara, Gazi Üniversitesi Basin‐Yayin Yüksekokulu Basimevi, 1984. 196pp.     

Elite Indigenous Masculinity in Textual Representations of Aboriginal Service in the Vietnam War

This article analyses three texts that feature Aboriginal soldiers or veterans of the Vietnam War as protagonists: the novel Not Quite Men, No Longer Boys (1999), the play Seems Like Yesterday (2001) and the Redfern Now television episode “The Dogs of War” (2013). In all three texts, military service in Vietnam inculcates among the protagonists sentiments constitutive of what Brendan Hokowhitu refers to as elite Indigenous masculinity—the mimicry and appropriation of white hegemonic masculinity. Constructing themselves as elite Indigenous males allows the Aboriginal soldiers/veterans to position themselves as superior to “other” Aboriginal males. Through the course of the texts, though, the protagonists come to realise that elite Indigenous masculinity is a myth because civilian (white) Australia will continue to judge them the same as other Aboriginal men. Through encounters with other Aboriginal men, the Aboriginal soldiers/veterans are able to reconceptualise their own masculinities and to accept the legitimacy of multiple Aboriginal masculinities.     

Lack of European Identity and the Failure of the Eurozone

Since late 2007, the Eurozone has been embroiled in a crisis that has seen GDP per capita stagnate, public debt soar, and unemployment reach record levels. This article argues that the Eurozone crisis will inevitably force fundamental changes in the structure of the EU. The only way to make the Eurozone work is through deeper fiscal integration of Eurozone economies. Yet wholesale fiscal integration cannot be achieved in the near term, due to the fact that EU citizens continue to identify more with their own nationalities than with Europe as a whole. The Eurozone economies of southern Europe will, therefore, continue to flounder, leading to further anti‐EU sentiment. Anti‐EU sentiment may eventually increase up to the point where one or all of these countries leave the Eurozone or the EU altogether. These propositions are supported with arguments from economic theory, and are bolstered by evidence from surveys and opinion polls.     

Killing the Messenger: Mark Lilla’s “End of Identity Liberalism” and its Critics

Decades of mind-numbing political correctness on the academic far-left robbed the humanities and social sciences of their legitimacy, generated the alt-right as its very own dialectial alter-ego, and provided an essential catalyzing ingredient in Donald Trump's electoral victory—understood as the clearest expression of a weary nation's revulsion at p. c.'s intolerable moralizing. The illiberal, antisemitic, white nationalist alt-right and the illiberal, antisemitic, anti-American alt-left mirror one another perfectly! Faced with competing totalitarianisms at both extremes, the liberal center should defend itself first of all by forthrightly reclaiming the univeristy as a space for education and not indoctrination. Yet the politically correct professoriate do not want to hear this—and their over-the-top hostile overreactions to the news that they are to blame for what they hate most prove that it's so. Time to repeal and replace political correctness.