Revolutionaries and reformers: contemporary islamics movement in the Middle East

Looks at Islamist movements seeking power today, and the difficult choices they face. 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. "Providing a wealth of information, specific country studies, and sophisticated scholarship by some of the leading experts in the field of contemporary Middle Eastern politics and history, this book is one of the most thoughtful analyses of contemporary Islamist movements I have yet seen in English. It is an outstanding and much-needed addition to the literature, one whose diversity of geographical coverage sets it in a class of its own." David M. Mednicoff, University of Massachusetts at Amherst Contributors include Ali R. Abootalebi, Blent Aras, mer aha, Dale F. Eickelman, Shafeeq Ghabra, George E. Irani, Ely Karmon, Charles Kurzman, Meir Litvak, Bruce Maddy-Weitzman, Nilufer Narli, Reuven Paz, Barry Rubin, Emmanuel Sivan, David Zeidan, and Eyal Zisser. Looks at Islamist movements seeking power today, and the difficult choices they face.

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.

Author Biography: Barry Rubin is Director of the Global Research in International Affairs Center and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs Journal. He is the author of many books, including most recently, The Transformation of Palestinian Politics: From Revolution to State-Building, and the editor of many more, including (with Ian S. Lustick) Critical Essays on Israeli Society, Politics, and Culture: Books on Israel, Volume II, also published by SUNY Press.

Why Radical Muslims Aren't Taking Over Governments / Emmanuel Sivan -- Radical Islam In Egypt : A Comparison Of Two Groups / David Zeidan -- The Development Of Palestinian Islamic Groups / Reuven Paz -- Radical Islamist Movements In Turkey / Ely Karmon -- Islamism And The State In North Africa / Bruce Maddy-weitzman And Meir Litvak -- Hizballah : Between Armed Struggle And Domestic Politics / Eyal Zisser -- Balancing State And Society : The Islamic Movement In Kuwait / Shafeeq N. Ghabra -- The Rise Of The Last Islamist Movement In Turkey / Nilufer Narli. Fethullah Gulen And His Liberal 'turkish Islam' Movement / Bulent Aras And Omer Caha -- Islam And Democracy / Ali R. Abootalebi -- Mediating Middle East Conflicts : An Alternative Approach / Geore E. Irani -- Liberal Islam : Prospects And Challenges / Charles Kurzman -- Inside The Islamic Reformation / Dale F. Eickelman -- Islamist Movements In The Middle East : A Survey And Balance Sheet / Barry Rubin. Edited By Barry Rubin. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.