Rethinking Political Islam

In this finely chosen collection of essays, Hamid and McCants analyze the condition of "political Islam" in the wake of the "twin shocks" of the Arab Spring and the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The essays, written by Islamist insiders and critical outsiders from multiple academic disciplines, illuminate mainstream Islamist movements across the Middle East, North Africa, and elsewhere, discussing their tensions, transformations, and strategies for success and survival. By exploring the relation between Islamist ideology—political theories that have as their goal the establishment of an Islamic political order in the sense of a state whose governmental principles, institutions, and legal system derive directly from sharia—and practical politics in light of local, regional, and global realities, this text provides a critical space for conversation among experts, insiders, and the general public. Indeed, by putting together the perspectives of such a varied group—including Ovamir Anjum, Avi Max Spiegel, Omar Ashour, among others—the collection may very well help all parties interpret (and re-imagine) how Islamist groups are seeking alternative methods for success. This is a must-read for academics of Middle Eastern studies as well as anyone interested in the political state of the Islamic world. (Aug.)

This review has been updated to reflect the book's revised publication date, plus a new format and pricing.