eBook

Revolutionaries and reformers : contemporary Islamist movements in the Middle East

Rubin, Barry

2003

Overview

Islamist movements seeking power today are faced with difficult choices regarding strategy, ranging from armed struggle to electoral efforts. An emerging alternative consists of a rethinking of Islamist politics, where the goal of a “totally Islamic” polity would be abandoned in favor of some form of Islamic-oriented society. In this reformulation, Islamist politics would function as a pressure group to make society more Islamic, reinforcing the walls of semi-separate internal communities and reinterpreting Islam in more liberal ways. The September 11, 2001 terror attack on the United States, however, demonstrates that the radical approach remains attractive to many Islamists. Addressing these issues, the contributors look at the countries where Islamist movements have been most important. Case studies of revolutionary and reformist groups are followed by chapters discussing future alternatives for Islamist politics, presenting arguments both advocating and critical of a potential liberal, reformist, interest-group Islamism.

• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Subject: 20th century / Islam / Islam -- Middle East -- 20th century / Islam and politics / Islam and politics -- Middle East / Islam and state / Islam and state -- Middle East / Islamic renewal / Islamic renewal -- Middle East / Middle East / Middle East -- Politics and government / Politics and government / RELIGION / Religion, Politics & State
• ISBN: 079145617X, 9780791456170, 0791456188, 9780791456187