Islamic theocracy is now firmly established in fundamentalist Iran, and waves of fundamentalism are sweeping the entire Islamic world, and its diaspora. This book examines the claim of those Islamists who contend that, as a belief system and a way of life, Islam carries with it a theory of politics and the state which should be applied unquestioningly. Ayubi traces both the intellectual sources and the socio-economic bases of Political Islam, arguing that it is a modern phenomenon, dating back only to the inter-war period. He describes its major proponents as urban, educated and relatively young people, whose energies were mobilised, but whose expectations were not fulfilled by the post-independence `populist' regimes in the Arab World. Islamic movements in six countries are studied in detail. Ayubi's distinctively broad definition of politics encompasses innovative material on sex and the family, and on the emerging alternative economic and social networks of Islamic banks, schools, and hospitals in the countries discussed. Ayubi stresses the traditional concern in Islam for the collective enforcement of morals, but argues that there is no case for the commonly held misconception that politics begins from theological principles in the Arab world: the historical connection between Islam and politics can be explained as an attempt by the rulers to legitimise their actions. He suggests that radical Islamists are reversing this position by subjecting politics to their specific religious views, so their movement is in some senses an anti-state one. He concludes by discussing possible intellectual responses to fundamentalism, drawing on the thinking of contemporary Muslim liberals.

Political Islam

Religion & Spirituality

Ayubi, Nazih N.

Islam

Routledge

Although geographically contiguous, culturally and 'developmentally' Europe and the Middle East are still 'distant neighbours'. The record of relations between the two regions, especially in trade, finance and investment reveals that while Europe is concerned about oil, immigration and Islamic radicalism, countries of the Middle East and North Africa are worried about their developmental prospects and possible marginalisation by an enlarging Europe. The distinguished contributors to this book, writing in either English or French, examine the potential and the prospects for establishing a new 'development zone' that will promote fuller co-operation between the two shores of the Mediterranean.

Distant Neighbours: The Political Economy of Relations Between Europe and the Middle East/North Africa/Voisins Distants L'Economie Politique Des Rel

Politics & Social Sciences

Politics & Government

Ithaca

Why is it that even though they all call themselves Arab, there are actually twenty disparate Arab states? Why have these states engaged in numerous attempts at political unification, each of which has ended in failure? Although the rhetoric of politics in most countries is based on broad, universalist ideas such as nationalism or socialism, why have actual ruling castes been so narrowly based and non-representative? These are some of the questions that inform this comparative study of politics and the role of the state in Arab world, and make this a key textbook for students of Middle East politics, political theory and political economy.

Over-stating the Arab State: Politics and Society in the Middle East

I.B.Tauris

This study of politics and the role of the state in the Arab world is aimed at students of Middle East politics, political theory and political economy. Ayubi's main objective is to place the Arab world within a theoretical framework that avoids both "orientalist" and "fundamentalist" insistence on the utter peculiarity and uniqueness of the region. He focuses on eight countries, and deals with such issues as the emergence of social classes, corporatism, economic liberalization and the relationship between state and civil society.

Over-Stating the Arab State: Politics and Society in the Middle East

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Ayubi, Nazih N.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Ayubi, Nazih N.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Ayubi, Nazih N.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Political Islam

Distant Neighbours: The Political Economy of Relations Between Europe and the Middle East/North Africa/Voisins Distants L'Economie Politique Des Rel

Over-stating the Arab State: Politics and Society in the Middle East

Over-Stating the Arab State: Politics and Society in the Middle East