November, 2009
What Accounts for the Success of Islamist Parties in the Arab World
Working Paper
By Michael Robbins, Former Research Fellow, The Dubai Initiative
Islamist organizations are generally considered to be the strongest and most credible opposition to incumbent regimes throughout the Arab world. Fear of Islamic takeovers has led regimes and other outside powers to justify not holding free elections, citing examples that include the Algerian election of 1991, the Iranian Revolution, the AKP victory in Turkey and the perceived popularity of Islamist opposition groups throughout much of the Arab world (Brumberg 2002). Yet, other analysts have questioned the actual strength of Islamist movements within the Arab world, noting that although Islamists may be the main challenger, few have actually been successful in taking power (Roy 1994).
November, 2009
What Accounts for the Success of Islamist Parties in the Arab World
Policy Brief
By Michael Robbins, Former Research Fellow, The Dubai Initiative
Islamist organizations are generally considered to be the strongest and most credible opposition to incumbent regimes throughout the Arab world. Fear of Islamic takeovers has led regimes and outside powers to justify the suppression of free elections by citing the Algerian election of 1991, the Iranian Revolution, the AKP victory in Turkey, and the perceived popularity of Islamist opposition groups throughout much of the Arab world (Brumberg 2002). Yet, other analysts have questioned the actual strength of Islamist movements, noting that although Islamists may be the main challengers, few have actually been successful in taking power (Roy 1994).
May 11, 2009
Listen to Michael Robbins on "What Accounts for the Success or Failure of Islamist Parties in the Arab World?'
Event Report
By Michael Robbins, Former Research Fellow, The Dubai Initiative
In a Dubai Initiative Brown Bag Seminar on May 6, 2009, DI Fellow Michael Robbins examined the causes underlying the success or failure of Islamist parties in the Arab world.
April 2-5, 2009
What Leads Voters to Support the Opposition under Authoritarianism? Evidence from Survey Research in Jordan
Conference Paper
By Michael Robbins, Former Research Fellow, The Dubai Initiative
Voters in authoritarian countries face a much different calculus than voters in democratic societies when choosing which candidate to support. Current explanations of their behavior rely on material incentives, arguing that these voters support pro-regime candidates who they believe can deliver economic resources to them or their regions. However, despite these economic incentives, some voters still choose to support the opposition. This paper examines the factors that lead some citizens to act in this way using a post-election survey in the case of Jordan. It argues that discontent, socio- economic status, and personal connections are key determinants of voters decision to vote for the opposition.
April 2007
What Leads Some Ordinary Men and Women in Arab Countries to Support Terrorism Against the United States?: Evidence from Survey Research in Algeria and Jordan
Journal Article, Journal of Conflict Resolution, issue 2, volume 51
By Michael Robbins, Former Research Fellow, The Dubai Initiative
Findings from representative national surveys in Algeria and Jordan show that nei- ther religious orientations, judgments about Western culture, nor economic circum- stances account for variance in approval of terrorist acts against U.S. targets. Alternatively, in both countries, approval of terrorism against the United States is dis- proportionately likely among men and women with negative judgments about their own government and about U.S. foreign policy. Taken together, these findings sug- gest that approval of terrorism is fostered by negative attitudes toward actors consid- ered responsible for the political and economic status quo. Given that Algeria and Jordan have had different experiences with respect to terrorism and also differ in demographic, political, and economic structure, identical findings from these dis- similar countries suggest that the observed relationships are not country specific and may apply more generally.
