A seminar with Manal A. Jamal, MEI Research Fellow and Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, James Madison University. Part of the Middle East Initiative Research Fellow Seminar Series.
Moderated by Michael C. Hudson, MEI Visiting Scholar, Spring 2015 and Seif Ghobash Professor of Arab Studes and International Affairs, Emeritus, Georgetown University.
This presentation will examine the aftermath of Ḥamās’ electoral victory. Departing from much of the extant literature which treats Western democracy promotion efforts as a key causal factor in shaping democratic outcomes, this presentation will discuss the limitations of democracy promotion efforts in non-inclusive political contexts. This discussion will highlight how this critical juncture encapsulated the hypocrisy with which dominant political groups and many Western donors approach democracy in the Middle East- on the one hand a vehement advocacy for electoral competition, steeped in supposed liberal values, and on the other, electoral outcomes that must accommodate pervading political settlements, in this case the Oslo Accords, and Western power geo-strategic interests in the region.
For more about Manal A. Jamal, click here.
