Public Opinion and Political Response in Palestine : Leadership, Campaigns and Elections Since Arafat

"The 2006 elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council, the first in which both Fatah and Hamas fielded candidates, resulted in a resounding victory for Hamas. Winning 74 out of the 132 seats (compared to Fatah s 45), Hamas election strategy had proved effective against Fatah s ineffectual campaign and failure to properly consider public opinion. Erika Schwarze offers here an in-depth examination of these two separate campaigns, and how Fatah s lack of responsiveness to the popular mood in the run-up to elections following Arafat s death and beyond, led to its defeat in spite of its considerable experience of electioneering. She analyses the conduct of Palestinian leadership during this critical period, exploring the reasons for Fatah s inability to prioritise responsiveness to public opinion, and providing insights into the movement s electoral prospects in the future and its chances of survival and revival."--Bloomsbury publishing. "The 2006 elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council, the first in which both Fatah and Hamas fielded candidates, resulted in a resounding victory for Hamas. Winning 74 out of the 132 seats (compared to Fatah's 45), Hamas' election strategy had proved effective against Fatah's ineffectual campaign and failure to properly consider public opinion. Erika Schwarze offers here an in-depth examination of these two separate campaigns, and how Fatah's lack of responsiveness to the popular mood in the run-up to elections following Arafat's death and beyond led to its defeat in spite of its considerable experience of electioneering. She analyses the conduct of Palestinian leadership during this critical period, exploring the reasons for Fatah's inability to prioritize responsiveness to public opinion, and providing insights into the movement's electoral prospects in the future and its chances of survival and revival."--Back cover Responsiveness in the 2006 PLC elections - Fatah -- Responsiveness in the 2006 PLC elections - Hamas -- Overarching influences in responsiveness: fragmentation, rentierism and the role of civil society -- Legitimation and responsiveness in Palestinian politics -- Leadership styles and responsiveness -- Polling, responsiveness and leadership crisis -- Polling - opportunities and risks