Drawing on the history of post-independence Tunisia, the book studies the evolution of al-Nah?ah as a political party in Tunisia and its role in a protracted struggle to shape the post-authoritarian order along democratic lines. It explores al-Nah?ah''s relationship with the Tunisian state, society and beyond that resulted in shaping its fluctuating expressions of ideology and practices.
State repression, political participation, or internal differentiation (among other factors) place an Islamic movement (in this case al-Nah?ah) in such a situation that demands a perpetual self re-evaluation as well as implementation of ideology, objectives, and political programmes. The study explains how the socio-political setting in Tunisia demanded various ideologically opposite currents (Islamic, liberal, or leftist) to endure cross-ideological cooperation either to contest authoritarian regimes or to engage in the political process. It more importan
