Shouting in a Cage: Political Life After Authoritarian Co-optation in North Africa

Co-optation of challengers by authoritarian rulers is not as simple as it seems, and it can have unexpected consequences. Sofia Fenner's book "Shouting in a Cage" explores the power and limits of co-optation by examining two co-opted parties in Egypt and Morocco. She argues that co-optation is less a corrupt bargain than a discursive contest and that co-opted parties retain a surprising capacity for opposition due to the idea of "party as family."

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 11 July 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Durable authoritarian rule often relies on the co-optation of challengers, a conventional narrative that suggests rulers entice opposition groups to "sell out" by offering them benefits if they abandon their antiauthoritarian aspirations and integrate into the system. However, the process of co-optation does not always neutralize former adversaries, and even seemingly domesticated opponents can turn against their rulers. Co-optation may weaken opposition, but it is not as straightforward, reliable, or transactional as existing theories suggest.

Shouting in a Cage, a groundbreaking book by Sofia Fenner, presents fresh perspectives on the power and limitations of co-optation by examining two co-opted parties, the Wafd Party in Egypt and the Istiqlal Party in Morocco. Fenner argues that co-optation is more than a corrupt bargain; it is a discursive contest characterized by competing interpretations. Co-opted parties engage in imaginative scenarios where their short-term choices align with their long-term democratic aspirations. At the same time, other actors highlight the disconnect between these parties' antiauthoritarian aspirations and their participation in authoritarian systems.

Fenner's meticulous archival research and ethnographic fieldwork in North Africa provide compelling evidence to support her argument. She demonstrates that co-opted parties become hypocritical when they refuse to relinquish their oppositional commitments, undermining their credibility and making them unappealing allies. However, these parties retain a surprising capacity for opposition, rooted in the literal and metaphorical idea of "party as family." Despite their apparent integration into authoritarian systems, co-opted parties maintain a sense of identity and loyalty that can endure despite political setbacks.

Shouting in a Cage broadens our understanding of political behavior under authoritarianism by challenging the conventional narrative of co-optation. It sheds light on the complex dynamics between rulers, opposition groups, and the broader political landscape. Fenner's insights offer valuable lessons for scholars, activists, and policymakers seeking to navigate the challenges of authoritarianism and promote democratic change.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231208598