Date of Award

8-22-2025

Date Published

September 2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Political Science

Advisor(s)

Brian Taylor

Keywords

Electoral Politics;Identity;Islamist Parties;Nationalism;Secularism

Subject Categories

Political Science | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the variation in the electoral mobilization of Islamist parties in Pakistan, Tunisia, and Turkey using comparative historical analysis. These Muslim-majority countries (MMCs) have experienced free and fair elections, yet the electoral success of Islamist parties varies considerably among them. In Turkey and Tunisia, Islamist parties have mobilized successfully and won power at the national level, whereas in Pakistan, they have largely underperformed. This study argues that the root cause of these differences lies in the historical decisions made by the political elite regarding the role of Islam in fostering nationalism and state-building at the time of independence. In Pakistan, the political elite cultivated nationalism on a religious basis to build a national identity and tackle ethnic and linguistic diversity. Over time, this led to the integration of Islam into the state’s rhetoric, constitution, and legal code. In contrast, Turkey and Tunisia adopted an assertive secular model, expunging religious influence from the legal code and diminishing its visibility in the public sphere. The adoption of assertive secularism allowed Islamists in Turkey and Tunisia to tap into grievances and build broad-based religious movements, broadening their appeal beyond ultra-religious segments. Consequently, the political parties associated with these movements secured electoral victories. In Pakistan, however, the infusion of Islam into statecraft and society diminished the appeal of Islamist parties, as all political stakeholders adhered to religious rhetoric, reducing their exclusivity. Religious movements in Pakistan tend to be issue-specific and are often co-opted by other political parties and the state, further limiting the appeal of Islamist parties. Additionally, Islamist parties in Pakistan tend to champion more extreme issues and moderate less. The main contribution of this dissertation to the literature is the development of the causal mechanism through which historical choices affect the subsequent form of political Islam.

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Open Access

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