Islam and Politics

by Peter Mandaville

This book is an accessible and comprehensive account of political Islam in the twenty-first century. Drawing on insights from comparative politics and Islamic studies, it explains the complex interaction between Islam, society, the state, and processes of globalization. The book demonstrates that political Islam, far from being a monolithic phenomenon, varies considerably from country to country depending on its position in relation to society, the state, and the broader political environment. The book provides a portrait of Islam and politics through a combination of detailed case studies and country overviews that span the globe from the Middle East to Central and South Asia, Southeast Asia and Europe and North America--as well as a detailed account of the global jihadist movement. Engaging the debate on post-Islamism and the aftermath of Arab Uprisings, the book also provides a roadmap of possible futures for Islam and politics. Subjects covered history of Islam and politics and an overview of key concepts- how political Islam interacts with the nation-state and the global economy- a wide variety of global case studies- profiles of key movements and individualsFully illustrated throughout, featuring maps, a glossary and suggestions for further reading, this is the ideal introduction to the crucial role of political Islam in the contemporary world.

Genres: Islam, Politics, Religion, Political Science, Academic, Middle East

456 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Sumaya]

Peter Mandaville's writing is clear and insightful, I had to read this book for a class on religion and politics in the Middle East. Here's a short reflection from the first chapter:

Mandaville questions the very term used to describe the “Islamic” world; it is signified by its religious identity whereas the “West” is signified by it geographic identity. Mandaville notes how absurd it would be to call the West: the “Christian world” today because that would not account for the diversity and multi-dimensionality of the West. Yet the same appreciation for complexity is often not offered to the "Muslim World".

In various academic discourses there seems to be a fixation on religion as a single explanatory factor of various phenomena in this part of the world, be it political, economic or social. Now does this mean that Mandaville is saying that religion doesn’t matter? On the contrary, he asserts that understanding religious discourse, institutions and actors is important, but argues for the need to critically deconstruct the way religion is seen, understood and often cast as a single explanatory factor.

The book of course expands beyond this question, and delves into themes such as "Islamism", social movement theory, the Arab uprisings and the "post-Islamism" thesis.

[Erdem Dikici]

one of the best main texts on global islam and muslim politics. A must read!

[Allison]

Incredibly comprehensive and discusses theory which I appreciate however lack of nuance at times but understandable as one cannot address everything in a singular book.

[George]

A very informative book, that looks at historical background as well as the current situation. It makes it clear that there are very many ways in which Islam relates to politics.