Islamist opposition in authoritarian regimes
Subtitle: the Party of Justice and Development in Morocco
By: Eva Wegner
Edition: 1st ed.
Series: Religion and politics; Religion and politics
Publisher: Syracuse University Press
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Syracuse, NY
Language: eng
Number of pages: 180
ISBN-13: 9780815632825
Subjects: Politics and government; Political parties; Ḥizb al-ʻAdālah wa-al-Tanmiyah (Morocco); Islam and politics
Description: What electoral mobilization choices do Islamist opposition parties make? How do they relate to authoritarian incumbents? Which key factors influence the choices these parties make? Islamist Opposition in Authoritarian Regimes explores the answers to these questions by studying the path of the Islamist Party of Justice and Development (PJD) in Morocco from 1992 to 2007. Wegner traces the partyʹs choices through an analysis of organizational, ideological, and institutional constraints. Adopting a simple but novel perspective, Wegner distinguishes Islamist parties from other opposition parties because of their connection to a powerful social movement. The author shows how the PJD initially made major progress in electoral politics by building up a strong party organization, sustaining full support of the Islamist movement, and positioning itself as the only credible opposition party. Ultimately, the failure of the PJD to win elections was due to political concessions it made to secure its legality combined with a distancing from the Islamist movement. Based on extensive field research in Morocco in 2003 and 2007 and drawing upon personal interviews with members, candidates, and leaders of the PJD, Islamist Opposition in Authoritarian Regimes presents a meticulous and enlightening case study. Wegner enriches our understanding of electoral authoritarianism in Morocco and throughout the Arab- Islamic world. -- Book jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Political institutions, political parties, and the Islamist movement in Morocco; title: Party institutionalization and emancipation from the Islamist movement; title: The regime game; title: Elections and parliament; title: Comparing Islamist strategies in Jordan and Morocco.