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
1. Political Islam: Background, New Islamism and Future Prospects
2. Nature and Causes of Iranian Revolution
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the evolution and impact of political Islam in the Middle East, specifically analyzing its rise as a response to the failures of secular-nationalist regimes and its complex, often conflictual, relationship with Western modernity.
- The historical emergence of political Islamism versus secular-nationalist models.
- The internal societal and religious factors contributing to Islamist ideology.
- The pragmatic shift in "New Islamist" parties, such as Turkey's AK Party.
- The specific case study of the 1979 Iranian Revolution and its theocratic outcomes.
Excerpt from the Book
1) Political Islam: Background, New Islamism and Future Prospects
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. This second option, although not very much compatible with the expectations of the majority of Muslims, was chosen (if not dictated) in core some of the core Muslim countries such as Turkey and Egypt. Secularism, especially in French version which is called ‘laicism’, strictly divides the religion and issues concerning state governance. State secularism is the term to define state’s invention to religious affairs to diminish the role of religion on a general level. In some countries like Turkey, this went into an extreme phase as secular nationalist elite wanted to eliminate influence of Islam even in the private sphere and secularism was backed by military in order to avoid any reactions against secular policies. Due to its close historical ties with the West which is unique in a Muslim country, Turkey’s secular system more or less embraced by an important percentage of its citizens. In many other countries of the region, secular nationalism could not fulfill its promises of bringing full independence, prosperity and a proud national identity. In this regard, Mandaville argues:
“Islamism can be understood as an intellectual and political movement in response to the perceived Westernization of the modern regimes and their failure to deliver on the promises of modernization” (Mandaville, 2007).
Chapter Summaries
1. Political Islam: Background, New Islamism and Future Prospects: This chapter outlines the historical tensions between secular-nationalist states and the rise of political Islam, highlighting the shift toward more pragmatic "New Islamist" movements.
2. Nature and Causes of Iranian Revolution: This chapter analyzes the specific structural and religious drivers of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, examining how the movement transformed from a broad opposition alliance into a established theocratic regime.
Keywords
Political Islam, Islamism, Secularism, Modernization, Iranian Revolution, Ayatollah Khomeini, Middle East, Caliphate, Theocracy, AK Party, Muslim Brotherhood, Westernization, Laicism, Nationalism, Social Justice
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental subject of this paper?
The paper explores the development of political Islam as an ideology and political movement within the Middle East, tracing its origins to the post-Ottoman search for identity and governance.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The key themes include the failure of secular-nationalist regimes, the role of internal religious structure, the emergence of "New Islamist" political parties, and the historical trajectory of the Iranian Revolution.
What is the primary objective of the research?
The objective is to understand how and why political Islam became a dominant force in regional politics and to distinguish between radical revolutionary interpretations and modern, pragmatic Islamist political agendas.
Which scientific approach is utilized?
The work utilizes a comparative political analysis approach, drawing upon historical context, political theory, and case studies of specific nations like Turkey, Egypt, and Iran.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body discusses the transition from the Caliphate system, the conflict between secular elites and Islamist movements, the technological/modernization dilemmas faced by Islamists, and the specific dynamics of the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
Which keywords characterize the work?
The most relevant keywords include Political Islam, Secularism, Modernization, Theocracy, and the Iranian Revolution.
How does the author define the "New Islamists"?
The author identifies "New Islamists" as political entities (such as Turkey’s AK Party) that emphasize pragmatism, good governance, economic prosperity, and integration with international business over strict ideological dogma.
What specific role did the 1979 Iranian Revolution play in the author's argument?
The revolution serves as a critical case study of a "backlash" against forced modernization, illustrating the transition from a broad-based revolutionary alliance to a strict theocratic state led by Khomeini.
What is the significance of the "Westoxification" concept mentioned in the text?
It refers to the perceived negative influence of Western cultural and political paradigms on Iranian society, which the revolutionary leadership sought to reverse through the imposition of traditional Islamic governance.
- Citation du texte
- Can Esen (Auteur), 2011, Political Islam: Background, New Islamism and Future Prospects, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/270041
