The National Sense in the Modern Arabic Intellectual LiteratureThe “Natures of Tyranny” by al-Kawakibi and “The Awakening of the Arab Nation” by al-Azouri as Two Examples

Abstract

This study examines the history of Arab ideas in the internal reform movements from the awakening of the Arab nationalist sense and the emergence of the nationalist movement and its development from the mid-nineteenth century until the beginning of the First World War in selected works. The study came with special consideration of two Arab thinkers, Abdul Rahman Al-Kawakibi and Najib Azouri, and their books The Natures of Tyranny (1902) and The Awakening of the Arab Nation (1905). Most of the writings that dealt with that historical period focused on presenting one side rather than another, or one Arab country rather than another, or that they recounted events and facts in terms of the ideas they raised, or that some of them cast these events and outlooks in a specific belief context, to confirm their viewpoints. Benefit is thus derived from all of them in this study, each according to its field and interest. The purpose is to provide a historical and intellectual illumination of the status of Al- Kawakibi and Azouri in Arab history and Renaissance, in an exploration that tries to be historically and culturally objective, and simultaneously, important and influential details were not overlooked through the discussion. There is no claim what is contained in this research is completely comprehensive. Perhaps other studies may highlight some of the aspects that have been overlooked or summarized, and which may be rectified and expanded upon, for this is the nature of scientific research, especially in the intellectual and historical fields.