Structured Response #5- Hanna

" In our current 'post-Arab Revolts' environment, why do you think Islamists in particular have yielded such successes at the ballot box?"

When looking to identify why Islamists are so successful at the ballot box, we can look back at the revolutions and also look over to other countries like Syria and Libya. In all of these environments, Fundamental Islam is on the rise. No, this does not mean that being a more strict Muslim means that you are more inclined to revolt. It just helps paint a picture of the importance of the religion throughout the region and a movement away from the secular regimes. In these communities their social lives are built around their churches. In the country of Algeria their social life is entirely within their own neighborhood because of a distrust of those they are not familiar with and the suspicions they have of their government and police force. If the social life of these other countries reflect Algeria in any way, than people meet around neighborhood mosques. Given the social structure of these states a revolution or social movement would not be possible without a national identity, such as Islam. These revolutions were made possible given the use of Islam as a mobilizing factor. In the same way that a bloody revolution often leads to a bloody regime, a revolution mobilized through Islam will now visually lead into regimes that will be lead by Islamists. An argument to this may be that Christian's too took part in these revolutions. Who could forget the pictures of the prayer chain in Tahrir Square? Christians make up a very small minority in any Islamic State. It is also seen as a religion that is most popular in the west. This does not mean that Christian people are seen as an enemy. They are just not in the scope of mind as a possible leader. In the same way that the Serbs needed a man with an anti-American thought, a Christian being voted into power would not have been appealing to the people. Revolution often brings about a Nationalist pride and coming from Islamic States- this pride and identity as a Nation is that of Islam. If the National Identity is Muslim and they are in a time of National pride and excitement, then they will vote for someone who best reflects their identity...and even more so, a magnified version of identity.