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The Journal of International Mediterranean Studies (REIM) invites authors to submit articles for its 2016 special issue on "Local Politics in Contemporary Middle Eastern and North African Countries: Spaces of Political Continuity or Change?"This special issue aims to explore the MENA countries and their societies by analysing the interconnections between territory, politics and governance at the local level (small and mid-sized cities, rural areas, villages, and peripheral regions) and from a historical perspective. Some of the proposed guiding research questions for this special issue are the following: How can the role of local politics in state formation and transformation processes in MENA countries be analysed? How and to what extent do local politics try to form, influence and change political dynamics in these countries? How do the interactions between national and local politics help or hinder authoritarian rule? How do local institutions and actors engage in national political processes and to what extent can they influence them? What role do local institutions and actors play in current political, social and economic transformative processes in MENA countries?DeadlineInterested authors are asked to submit their abstracts (400 words max) by 15 January 2016 to Ángela Suárez-Collado (angela.suarez.collado@gmail.com)Selected papers will have to be sent by 1 May 2016.Abstracts and articles can be submitted in English, French and Spanish.For further information: http://tallerteim.com/content/call-papers