Why Alliances Fail Islamist and Leftist Coalitions in North Africa (original) (raw)
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Mediterranean Politics, 2019
This introduction highlights the need for studies exploring the formation of coalitions in North Africa and the Middle East by privileging processual, relational and intersectional approaches. First, it proposes conceptual clarifications, followed by a discussion of the main trends that characterize the literature on coalitions in the region. Using several examples, the authors argue that in order to better understand the making (but also the unmaking) of coalitions in the MENA region it is essential to provide micro-sociological studies that look beyond the ideological divides to analyse the manifold transformations that emerge out of ‘coalition moments’, and that link processes of alliance-building to processes of differentiation and categorization. LINK: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13629395.2019.1639022
Allying beyond social divides - Special Issue
MEDITERRANEAN POLITICS, 2019
This introduction highlights the need for studies exploring the formation of coalitions in North Africa and the Middle East by privileging processual, rela-tional and intersectional approaches. First, it proposes conceptual clarifications , followed by a discussion of the main trends that characterize the literature on coalitions in the region. Using several examples, the authors argue that in order to better understand the making (but also the unmaking) of coalitions in the MENA region it is essential to provide micro-sociological studies that look beyond the ideological divides to analyse the manifold transformations that emerge out of 'coalition moments', and that link processes of alliance-building to processes of differentiation and categorization.
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British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 2011
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This article analyses inter- and intra-party relations in the formation of coalition governments in Morocco after the elections held in November 2011, and presided over by Abdelilah Benkirane. Although coalition theory has been applied in democratic contexts, we consider that the study of government coalitions, and in particular of party relations, is also important in hybrid political systems, in which there is significant room for political competition and participation. The methodology of the study is principally based on interviews carried out with members of the Moroccan Government, among them the Head of Government, and also with leaders and members of the parties in the government coalition and in opposition. The comments of these actors are discussed with reference to the academic literature. The results of the research show that despite the limits on democracy in Morocco, there are important interactions between the political parties, which can be seen in the form of alliances, consensus building, the distribution of power, and splits. In this political manoeuvring, ideology plays a secondary role. The context of the Arab Spring does not affect the coalition building, even though the national interest is found in the parties' political discourse for justifying their entry to the government. Thus, the most significant aspect of participation in Government is the acquisition of power and party's strategic interests. Looking at internal party dynamics, we also see that internal factors affect decisions as to whether to participate in government or not. Lastly, despite the reforms carried out in the wake of the Arab Spring, Mohammed VI continues to exert his influence on the formation of the Government. Nevertheless, the parties participating in the government coalition show their acceptance of the current rules of the political system, in which a significant executive role is reserved for the Monarchy.
Alliance politics in the post-2011 Middle East: Advancing theoretical and empirical perspectives
Mediterranean Politics
Alliances in the post-2011 Middle East are characterized by anomalous shifts and upsurge of new actors leading to theoretical and empirical puzzles. This article argues that unravelling these patterns requires grappling with in-depth knowledge of regional politics and a serious engagement with the broader IR literature. Through this dual exploration, the article explores how the literature on alliance cohesion within IR could inform anomalous alliance dynamics in the post-2011 regional order. It also reveals how regional developments in the post-2011 Middle East, such as the pursuit of alliance by non-state actors, present avenues for theoretical innovations.