Abstract
Many scholars have asserted the importance of rapid urbanization in the development of mass tendencies. However, confirmation of this hypothesis comes mainly from studies in Western societies. This paper intends to study this hypothesis in the context of developing nations with special reference to the major cities in the Arab East. Evidence presented indicates mass tendencies do not develop in rapidly urbanized major cities in the Arab East. The reasons for this variation from Western experience are: (1) ruralization of the city; (2) the structure of the city; (3) the occupational patterns. The conclusion is that rapid urbanization is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the rise & development of mass tendencies.