Clark’s pioneering study of municipal politics, decentralization, and democratization in Morocco and Jordan finally concentrates on the massively understudied yet critical arena of local politics. She explores whether decentralization reinforces state control, leads to elite capture, offloads social welfare costs, or allows new opposition forces to grow. The picture of Middle East politics is greatly enhanced by this exhaustively researched book.

- Diane Singerman, American University,

In this carefully designed and beautifully executed investigation into trajectories of centralization and decentralization in the Middle East, Clark provides a masterful account of why Morocco and Jordan diverged in their approach to municipal politics. Her book fills a gap in research literature between accounts of authoritarian politics at the level of regimes and the far sparser literature on local-level politics. It will be of interest to scholars and students of the Middle East, comparative authoritarianism, and municipal politics. <i>Local Politics in Jordan and Morocco</i> is a welcome and significant contribution.

- Steven Heydemann, Smith College,

With this fascinating work, Janine A. Clark fills a major gap in the understanding of the practice of decentralization. Featuring an excellent literature review and rich archival research and interviews, <i>Local Politics in Jordan and Morocco </i>makes a significant contribution to political science and policy literature.

- Mona Harb, American University of Beirut,