Getting to Pluralism

Pluralism in the Arab world has not yet matured into functional democratic politics. While ruling establishments, Islamist movements, and secular parties have introduced a much greater degree of pluralism into Arab societies, the imbalance of power and interdependence among these actors limits both the degree of political diversity and its effectiveness at bringing about reforms. The Arab world is likely to grapple with political apathy, low voter turnout, dwindling membership in registered parties, and shrinking constituencies for the foreseeable future. Even the Islamists, who demonstrated great ability to organize and gain followers in the past, have begun showing signs of decreasing popularity.

Marina Ottaway is a senior associate in the Democracy and Rule of Law program and director of the Carnegie Middle east program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Amr Hamzawy is a senior associate at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, Lebanon.