Political Islam has undergone a major evolution since the 1980s, defined by its defence of the creation of an Islamic State governed by the sharia. This evolution culminated in the Arab Spring. Although the protests were not lead by Islamist groups, they have benefitted the most given that they are the best-equipped forces to win the election processes. This has given rise to significant tensions with young protagonists in the protests demanding freedom; nevertheless, the current Islamist parties are a long way from the radicalism of the 1980s and beginning of the 1990s. The majority Islamist groups have moderated themselves and in many instances stand by the representative democratic parliamentary systems, seeing them as the best, if not the only, way to reach power.
Islamism, democracy, Arab protests, political transition, the Middle East, North Africa.