Political participation in authoritarian regimes in usually considered insignificant, or important only insofar as it promotes democracy. Turning this common wisdom on its head. This book demonstrates the vitality, variety, and significance of political activism across the Middle East and North Africa. Through an in-depth exploration of seven countries, the authors address how formal and informal political institutions create opportunities for participation in venues as varied as trade unions, civic associations, political parties and elections. And, without losing sight of the fact that authortarian regimes manipulate participation to reinforce their rule, they reveal ways in which citizens do benefit-by influencing decision making, for example, or obtaining state resources. Am engaging read for scholars and students, this work vividly illustrates how citizen matter in the politics authoritarian regimes.