Prepared for Power: Hamas, Governance and Conflict.

This article examines the development of Hamas and its prospects for power in the wake of electoral successes, changes within the broader movement of Palestinian nationalism and the Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip. The challenges that now beset Hamas are discussed in tandem with a reflection of demands related to governance, democracy, security and reform that affect many societies emerging from conflict. The major contention lies with the question of systems of transitional governance and whether they can withstand growing internal fragmentation and necessary demands for power sharing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]