This chapter examines the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood’s political development and practice through its behaviour in parliament in the period 1947-1963, opposition to the government, internal political dynamics and interaction with other opposition groups. It traces the emergence of the Brotherhood’s foundational organisational characteristics of ideological flexibility and pragmatism, and makes two main arguments: First, while the Brotherhood mostly remained true to its political platforms discussed in Chapter Two, the platforms have never enjoyed universal support amongst members. Second, although the group had a strong track record of democratic behaviour in its early years, its experience as an opposition group under authoritarianism changed the group, endowing it with a desperation for relevance that has made it vulnerable to opportunism. In particular, the group’s behaviour between 1967 and 2011 had significant consequences for the group’s credibility in Syria after the 2011 uprising began.