Marwa Shalaby is an assistant professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is the coeditor of Empowering Women After the Arab Spring (2016).
Varieties of Power is a fascinating and groundbreaking study of women’s political representation in authoritarian contexts. Shalaby provides compelling empirical evidence from the Middle East and North Africa to examine whether this trend is translating into real political power, focusing on the crucial role of party institutionalization in shaping women’s political influence. The book is a cornerstone for scholars of authoritarianism and gender and politics in the region. -- Aili Mari Tripp, Vilas Research Professor of Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison Empirically rich and theoretically interesting, Marwa Shalaby’s Varieties of Power offers insights to students of authoritarianism, gender, institutions, political parties, representation, and Middle East politics. An important contribution to the study of comparative politics. -- Ellen Lust, Cornell University and the University of Gothenburg Shalaby has written an outstanding account on women’s substantive political representation in MENA. She insightfully argues that political party institutionalization is important for women’s representation. Through careful qualitative and quantitative case study research in Morocco, Jordan and Kuwait, Shalaby showcases the ways in which authoritarianism impedes women’s political empowerment. -- Amaney A. Jamal, Edwards S. Sanford Professor of Politics and International Affairs Dean, Princeton University