Asef Bayat's *Life as Politics: How Ordinary People Change the Middle East* explores how ordinary individuals, particularly the subaltern, challenge authoritarian regimes and neoliberal economies in the Middle East. The book argues that change is not driven by large-scale revolutions or mass protests, but by "nonmovements"—collective actions by millions of noncollective actors that operate in public spaces, back streets, and communities. These nonmovements, such as the quiet encroachment of the urban poor, the pursuit of life chances, and the politics of everyday life, enable ordinary people to assert their presence and influence in the face of repression. The book highlights the role of social movements and nonmovements in shaping sociopolitical transformation, emphasizing the importance of grassroots activism and the need to move beyond traditional models of social science analysis. It also examines the impact of Islamism, the rise of post-Islamist movements, and the challenges faced by women and other marginalized groups in the region. Bayat contends that the Middle East's political landscape is shaped by a complex interplay of internal and external forces, and that understanding this dynamic is crucial for developing effective strategies for change. The book calls for a reevaluation of social theory to better account for the realities of the Middle East, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and nuanced approach to studying political change in the region.Asef Bayat's *Life as Politics: How Ordinary People Change the Middle East* explores how ordinary individuals, particularly the subaltern, challenge authoritarian regimes and neoliberal economies in the Middle East. The book argues that change is not driven by large-scale revolutions or mass protests, but by "nonmovements"—collective actions by millions of noncollective actors that operate in public spaces, back streets, and communities. These nonmovements, such as the quiet encroachment of the urban poor, the pursuit of life chances, and the politics of everyday life, enable ordinary people to assert their presence and influence in the face of repression. The book highlights the role of social movements and nonmovements in shaping sociopolitical transformation, emphasizing the importance of grassroots activism and the need to move beyond traditional models of social science analysis. It also examines the impact of Islamism, the rise of post-Islamist movements, and the challenges faced by women and other marginalized groups in the region. Bayat contends that the Middle East's political landscape is shaped by a complex interplay of internal and external forces, and that understanding this dynamic is crucial for developing effective strategies for change. The book calls for a reevaluation of social theory to better account for the realities of the Middle East, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and nuanced approach to studying political change in the region.