Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, countries in the Muslim world had roughly two options on which policy to adopt in order to defend themselves against the Western imperial powers. The first option was to revive the Caliphate which Ottoman Empire abolished as institution and embrace a new way of Islamic Political Universalism. This seemed rather a hard task during early 20th century and it still seems does in contemporary context. Second one was to create nationalist secular states in which language, territory and shared history was the determinant of defining identities.
Table of Contents
- Political Islam: Background, New Islamism and Future Prospects
- The Rise of Political Islamism
- The New Islamists
- Political Islamism and the West
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the rise of political Islam in the Middle East, exploring its historical roots, its evolution into "New Islamism," and its future prospects. It analyzes the factors contributing to its growth, its relationship with Western modernity, and its diverse expressions across the region.
- The historical context of political Islam's emergence following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
- The contrasting approaches of secular nationalism and political Islamism in addressing modernization and Western influence.
- The internal factors contributing to the rise of political Islamism, including the decentralized nature of Islam and its lack of a centralized religious authority.
- The evolution of political Islamism from traditional, anti-modern forms to the more pragmatic "New Islamism" exemplified by parties like the AK Party.
- The complex relationship between political Islamism, terrorism, and Western perceptions.
Chapter Summaries
Political Islam: Background, New Islamism and Future Prospects: This introductory chapter sets the stage by examining the two main paths Muslim countries took after the Ottoman Empire's fall: the revival of a Caliphate or the creation of secular nationalist states. It highlights the failure of secular nationalism in many countries to deliver on its promises, leading to the rise of political Islam as a response to perceived Westernization and the shortcomings of existing regimes. The chapter introduces Mandaville's argument that Islamism arose as a reaction to the perceived failures of modernization under secular rule, emphasizing the subsequent rise of political Islam as a powerful force in the Middle East.
The Rise of Political Islamism: This section delves into the historical and social factors underpinning the rise of political Islamism. It contrasts Islam's decentralized structure with the hierarchical nature of Christianity, arguing that this difference significantly impacted the development of political systems in the Muslim world. The inherent lack of a centralized religious authority within Islam made a reformation or revolution analogous to those in Western Europe impossible. The chapter emphasizes that Islam's role in the region's international relations predates the formation of nation-states, providing a foundation for political Islamism even independently of secular-nationalist governance failures. The role of external actors, particularly the US, in favoring political Islamism over communism is also discussed, highlighting the complex interplay of internal and external forces.
The New Islamists: This chapter analyzes the shift from traditional Islamism to "New Islamism," exemplified by parties like the AK Party in Turkey and Hizb-al Wasat in Egypt. These new parties, born from the ashes of more traditional Islamist groups, prioritize pragmatism and progress over strict ideological dogma. The AK Party's success in focusing on economic prosperity, good governance, and international relations serves as a key example of this new approach, contrasting sharply with the anti-modernity stance of their predecessors. The chapter emphasizes the strategic shift towards economic development as a means of achieving legitimacy and political success.
Keywords
Political Islam, Islamism, New Islamism, Secular Nationalism, Modernization, Westernization, Middle East, AK Party, Muslim Brotherhood, Terrorism, Jihadism, Social Justice, Economic Development, Legitimacy.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Political Islam
What is the main topic of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of political Islam, focusing on its historical development, the rise of "New Islamism," and its future prospects. It analyzes the factors contributing to its growth, its relationship with Western modernity, and its diverse expressions across the Middle East.
What are the key themes explored in this document?
Key themes include the historical context of political Islam's emergence after the Ottoman Empire's collapse; the contrasting approaches of secular nationalism and political Islamism to modernization and Western influence; the internal factors driving the rise of political Islamism (including Islam's decentralized structure); the evolution from traditional Islamism to the more pragmatic "New Islamism"; and the complex relationship between political Islamism, terrorism, and Western perceptions.
What are the chapter summaries?
The document summarizes four chapters: "Political Islam: Background, New Islamism, and Future Prospects" introduces the two paths taken by Muslim countries after the Ottoman Empire's fall and the rise of political Islam as a response to perceived failures of secular nationalism. "The Rise of Political Islamism" delves into the historical and social factors behind its rise, contrasting Islam's decentralized structure with Christianity's hierarchy and discussing external influences. "The New Islamists" analyzes the shift towards "New Islamism," exemplified by parties like the AK Party, focusing on pragmatism and economic development. The final chapter is not explicitly summarized.
What are the objectives of this document?
The document aims to examine the rise of political Islam in the Middle East, exploring its historical roots, its evolution into "New Islamism," and its future prospects. It analyzes the contributing factors to its growth, its relationship with Western modernity, and its diverse manifestations across the region.
What are the key words associated with this document?
Key words include: Political Islam, Islamism, New Islamism, Secular Nationalism, Modernization, Westernization, Middle East, AK Party, Muslim Brotherhood, Terrorism, Jihadism, Social Justice, Economic Development, Legitimacy.
What is "New Islamism"?
"New Islamism" refers to a more pragmatic approach to political Islam, exemplified by parties like the AK Party in Turkey. These groups prioritize economic prosperity, good governance, and international relations over strict ideological dogma, contrasting with the anti-modernity stance of traditional Islamist groups.
How does this document compare secular nationalism and political Islamism?
The document contrasts secular nationalism and political Islamism as two contrasting responses to modernization and Western influence in the Middle East following the fall of the Ottoman Empire. It highlights the perceived failures of secular nationalism in many countries to deliver on its promises, creating a space for the rise of political Islam.
What role did external actors play in the rise of political Islamism?
The document suggests that external actors, particularly the US, played a role in favoring political Islamism over communism in certain contexts, highlighting the complex interplay of internal and external forces in shaping the rise of political Islamism.
What is the significance of Islam's decentralized structure?
The document emphasizes the decentralized nature of Islam, contrasting it with the hierarchical structure of Christianity. This decentralized structure is argued to have significantly impacted the development of political systems in the Muslim world, making a reformation or revolution analogous to those in Western Europe impossible.
- Quote paper
- Can Esen (Author), 2011, Political Islam: Background, New Islamism and Future Prospects, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/270041
