The challenge of fundamentalism : political Islam and the new world disorder

scanned copyA text which suggests that Islamic fundamentalism is a result of Islam's confrontation with modernity. The author provides an analysis of the politicization of religion and, as an alternative to fundamentalism, he proposes a compact based on secular democracy and human rights. Originally published: 1998Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-251) and indexesThe context: globalization, fragmentation, and disorder -- The study of Islamic fundamentalism and the scope of the inquiry -- World Order and the legacy of Saddam Hussein -- The sociocultural background and the exposure to cultural modernity -- Cultural fragmentation, the decline in consensus, and the diffusion of power in world politics -- The crisis of the Nation-State: Islamic, Pan-Arab, ethnic, and sectarian identities in conflict -- The fundamentalist ideology: context and the textual sources -- The idea of an Islamic State and the call for the implementation of the Sahri'a/Divine Law -- Democracy and democratization in Islam: an alternative to fundmentalism -- Human rights in Islam and the West: cross-cultural foundations of shared values Islamic fundamentalism has had a significant impact in nearly every corner of the world in recent years. Bassam Tibi offers a disquieting analysis of this particular synthesis of religion and politics. The author sees Islamic fundamentalism as the result of Islam's confrontation with modernity. The movement is unprecedented in Islamic history and parallels the inability of Islamic "nation-states" to integrate with the new world secular order. This study is an analysis of the politicization of religion, a global phenomenon that extends beyond Islam, and the author suggests that such global issues must be addressed within the framework of worldwide solutions. As an alternative to religious fundamentalism he proposes a compact based on secular democracy and human rights. These twin goals should become the substance of an international cross-cultural morality, one that should bring people of different civilizations to live together in peace. Islamic fundamentalism poses a grave challenge to world politics, security and stability, Tibi maintains. He consistantly draws a distinction between Islam as a religion and Islamic fundamentalism as a political ideology, a distinction not always understood in the West. The lack of appropriate Western policies and the insensitivity of some Western politicians contribute to the fundamentalists' sense of being threatened, in turn strengthening political Islam's stronghold. Tibi sites the fundamentalist's interpretation of the Gulf War and the war in Bosnia, the latter seen to be in continuity with the former, as recent examples of this perceived threat A text which suggests that Islamic fundamentalism is a result of Islam's confrontation with modernity. The author provides an analysis of the politicization of religion and, as an alternative to fundamentalism, he proposes a compact based on secular democracy and human rights. Originally published: 1998 Includes bibliographical references (pages 215-251) and indexes The context: globalization, fragmentation, and disorder -- The study of Islamic fundamentalism and the scope of the inquiry -- World Order and the legacy of Saddam Hussein -- The sociocultural background and the exposure to cultural modernity -- Cultural fragmentation, the decline in consensus, and the diffusion of power in world politics -- The crisis of the Nation-State: Islamic, Pan-Arab, ethnic, and sectarian identities in conflict -- The fundamentalist ideology: context and the textual sources -- The idea of an Islamic State and the call for the implementation of the Sahri'a/Divine Law -- Democracy and democratization in Islam: an alternative to fundmentalism -- Human rights in Islam and the West: cross-cultural foundations of shared values

Long before the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Islamic fundamentalism was exerting a significant influence in nearly every corner of the world. Bassam Tibi, a widely recognized expert on Islam and Arab culture, offers an important and disquieting analysis of this particular synthesis of religion and politics. A Muslim and descendant of a famous Damascene Islamic scholar family, Tibi sees Islamic fundamentalism as the result of Islam's confrontation with modernity and not only—as it is widely believed—economic adversity. The movement is unprecedented in Islamic history and parallels the inability of Islamic nation-states to integrate into the new world secular order.
For this updated edition, Tibi has written a new preface and lengthy introduction addressing Islamic fundamentalism in light of and since September 11.