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This chapter discusses the apparent tensions between youth activism and political parties in the Middle East and North Africa. It maps existing research on youth movements and their transformative potential from the independence to the post-uprising period, highlighting the impact of the changing socio-political context on forms of youth participation. It shows that the relationship between youth activism and involvement in political parties varies geographically and over time, as does its impact on national politics. The chapter concludes with a discussion of emerging areas of research related to youth, political parties, and electoral participation in the region and beyond.