The power of arms

Rethinking armed parties and democratization through the Palestinian elections

Bibliographic Data

ID6252976
AuthorsM Longo (0000-0002-3374-2655), Ellen Lust (0000-0001-9436-462X)
Year2012
Volume19
Issue2
Pages258-285
Publication date2012-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueDemocratization (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1351-0347 • E-ISSN: 1743-890X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13510347.2011.576853
OpenAlexW2035424934
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited44

This article examines the role of armed parties in democratization. Usually considered volatile and thus excluded from the democratic process, we argue instead that in certain circumstances, armed parties can have a productive role in elections aimed at democratization – most notably by contributing to the balance of power between incumbents and opposition, both before, during and after elections. An in-depth analysis of the 2006 Palestinian elections, placed in comparative context, shows how arms affect the calculus of voters, opposition elites, and incumbents to make elections more competitive and democracy more likely. The article then directly addresses the objection that postponing disarmament fosters civil war, arguing rather that postponing disarmament may actually help promote peaceful, democratic outcomes of states emerging from civil war. It concludes by discussing the implication of the analysis for the study of democratization and for policies aimed at democracy promotion

Democracy · Democracy promotion · Democratization · Disarmament · Opposition (politics · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Power (physics · Sociology · Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies · Law · Middle East Politics and Society · Political Conflict and Governance

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