Work

Moderation through exclusion? The journey of the Tunisian Ennahda from fundamentalist to conservative party

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: The success of processes of democratic change is often predicated on the moderation of anti-systemic and extremist parties. The literature on such parties argues that such moderation, namely the acceptance of democratic procedures, human rights, and a market economy, comes about through inclusion. This seems to be borne out when one analyses a number of Islamist parties having contributed to the progressive democratization of their respective countries. The Tunisian case, however, offers a different perspective on moderation. This article argues that it has been exclusion through repression and social marginalization that has led the Islamist party Ennahda to move from its extreme anti-systemic position of the 1970s to become the mainstream conservative party it is today.

Source: Democratization

DOI: 10.1080/13510347.2013.801255

Authors: Francesco Cavatorta, Fabio Merone

Institutions: Dublin City University, Gerda Henkel Foundation

Language: English

Topic: Multiculturalism, Politics, Migration, Gender

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funders: Dublin City University, Gerda Henkel Foundation