Lebanon's Islamists and local politics: A new reality

The participation of Islamist groups in their countries' parliamentary elections has been a topic of focal concern for writers in the last two decades. Yet scant attention has been paid to Islamist groups and local politics. Given the Islamist assumption that the very nature of local politics or municipal work - the provision of services to the community - is a fundamental tenet of faith, Islamists have developed a vested interest in local politics. In other words, the functions and powers of local governments have drawn the attention of some Islamist groups for the importance of subordinate-level power sharing as a new means for the Islamisation of all aspects of society. Any assessment of Islamist groups and local politics requires an analysis of their role in municipal elections, covering their political strategies, programmes, alliances and campaign committees. This study systematically analyses Lebanon's major Islamist groups and local politics, in particular Hizbullah and al-Jama'ah al-Islamiyyah.