The Paradox of Ideology for Islamists: PJD's Path to Power in Morocco

• In Event: Protest, Social Movements, and Political Competition in MENA

Abstract

The Party of Justice and Development (PJD) played a crucial role in influencing democratic life in Morocco. Ahead of the post-Arab-uprisings amendments to the constitution, which defined power distribution under the constitutional monarchy, the party advocated the slogan of change in the wake of their victory in the 2011 elections. When in power, the PJD experienced a variation of its credibility with its constituency. This research explains how party ideology changes affect the constituency's trust. More specifically, I explore the impact of ideological distance on the constituency's trust in government. To answer this puzzle, I employ a combination of the Arab Barometer and MIPA's Trust in Institutions Index databases. Then, I develop a measure of ideological distance on the religious-secular and pro-system-anti-system dimensions based on parties' preferences and policies as expressed in their platforms, including their manifestos, bylaws, policy documents, public statements, and speeches. The findings highlight that a rational strategic adaptation took over an ideological framework once informed by the moralization of political life, leaving room for a paradox between submission to the monarchy and a rebuke of "tahakoum." The ideological disruptions orchestrated by the party since its ascension to power in 2011 produced the erosion of trust among its electorate.

Author

• Yasmine Haiti, University of Illinois at Chicago