Party Activists in Syria and Egypt

Abstract

Using data from questionnaires given to Ba'th activists in Syria and Wafd activists in Egypt, this article examines the character of political activism in Third World authoritarian regimes. Both class and ideology appear to be significant determinants of the party chosen for participation. A complex set of motivational considerations rooted in personal and primordial relationships is often found to blend and coexist with class and ideological interests. Autonomous and publicly purposive political activism is possible under such regimes, albeit over a narrower range of concerns than in electoral democ racies.