Islamist organizations across the Arab world are transforming themselves from religious social movements into programmatic political parties. Islamists once enjoyed a political advantage over their competitors, drawing on a reputation for competence and trustworthiness or the promise of divine rewards to win elections, especially in the wake of the 2011 uprisings. But across the region today even the most pragmatic Islamist parties face electoral defeat, crisis, and decline.

In this workshop, we bring together scholars and Islamist politicians to examine why Islamist parties in Morocco and Tunisia, often considered pioneers of moderation, are facing political crisis and electoral setbacks.

Some scholars have argued electoral defeat acts as an external shock to parties, imposing strong pressure for internal change. Others argue that losing parties with a non-centrist ideology are likely to hold to their existing policy positions to avoid internal divisions which undermine their unity and reputation. Drawing on new scholarly interest in Arab political parties, this workshop considers how these dynamics shape religious parties outside Western democracies.

We ask: How has the experience of a decade in government changed Islamist parties? Why have they lost vote share even as they moderated their policies? What explains Islamist party strategy after poor electoral performance? How do Islamist party strategies affect the wider political process? Insights about intraparty dynamics in these cases tell us why religious parties remain pragmatic or radicalize, and whether they contribute to or hinder democratic outcomes.

This workshop brings politicians in Morocco and Tunisia into discussion with policy researchers, academics, and policy advisors. Invited speakers include: Amina Maelainine (PJD), Bilal Talidi (PJD), Oussama al-Sghaier (Ennahda), Katerina Dalacoura (LSE), Lise Storm (Exeter), Fabio Merone (Laval), Ester Sigillo (Bologna), Théo Blanc (EUI), Muhammed Affan (Al-Sharq Forum), Irwan Saidin (Durham), and Rory McCarthy (Durham).

For questions, please contact: rory.p.mccarthy@durham.ac.uk

Islamist Dilemmas: Investigating the Dynamics of Islamist Party Change