Islamist movements in the Arab world generally have broad and diffuse agenda. In recent years, however, some movements have devoted far greater attention to the political process—running in elections, forming political parties, and sometimes even participating in government. But the fact remains that despite some limited openings, the possibilities for democratic change are sharply limited. Why do Islamist movements participate in a process in a political process in which the rules are tilted so heavily against them? And how does this participation affect the political process as a whole?
