Governance & Political Reform

The Advent of ‘Islamic’ Democracy in MENA

Indisputably, the Arab Spring has drastically reshaped the political landscape in MENA. Yet this scene is markedly diverse, heterogeneous and, most importantly, one of rivalry.

Political Reform in Egypt

Political reform in Egypt is not a new issue. In fact, a large number of Egyptian documents, even governmental ones, shows that reform has always been high on the agenda.

The Role of Political Islam in Arab Transitions: Year II of the Arab Spring, between Islamism, Democratic Transition and New Power Relations

How can it be that Islamist movements or parties, whose place in the groundswell of protest had been secondary, have nevertheless succeeded in taking the upper hand at elections?

Governance in the Southern Mediterranean after the Arab Spring: Drawing Up a New Social Contract

Understanding the origins of the contestation movement in the Arab region and the demands for social justice and accountable governance would better equip Europe to avoid repeating past behaviours.

Explaining Democratic Stagnation in the Western Balkans

Understanding the democratisation process in the successor states of the former Yugoslavia is of key importance for the European integration of these countries and their stabilisation, after the violent conflicts in the 1990s.

Elections in Libya

The election of a new national assembly in Libya is good news in several respects. Perhaps the first piece of good news is the simple fact that it actually took place and did so in a relatively peaceful atmosphere.

Social Protests in Egypt before and after the 25 January Revolution: Perspectives on the Evolution of their Forms and Features

Algeria in the Face of the Arab Spring: Diffuse Pressure and Sustained Resilience

The Algerian regime is not only subject to new regional pressure, but has been experiencing for years the demands of a population that, over the course of twenty years, has tasted the freedom arising from the political opening up of 1989.

On the Fringe of the Arab Spring: The Tent Protest in Israel

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in the summer of 2011 to protest the government’s socioeconomic policy. This wave of protests focused initially on demanding implementable affordable-housing solutions for all Israel’s residen...

Social Mobilisation and the Construction of Citizenship

In an interview with the BBC on 23 December 2011, the British historian Eric Hobsbawm noted that 2011 reminded him of 1848, the quintessential revolutionary year in Europe.

Egypt’s Presidential Elections: Moving Beyond Authoritarianism?

The symbolic significance of Morsy’s election should not be underestimated – he has become an elected Islamist leader of the most populous Arab country. However, it does not necessarily signal a shift in the balance of power towards the Brotherho...

Elecciones presidenciales en Egipto

Elecciones presidenciales en Egipto “Hemos vivido una experiencia muy dura, pero fundamental para el futuro del país. Creo que hemos demostrado que estamos dispuestos a pagar el precio de la libertad”.