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Radicalism and Political Reform in the Islamic and Western Worlds

Kai Hafez author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:24th May '10

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Radicalism and Political Reform in the Islamic and Western Worlds cover

Kai Hafez's book overturns arguments denouncing political Islam as a terrorist or fascist movement at odds with Western democratic ideology.

Kai Hafez's book overturns arguments denouncing political Islam as a terrorist or fascist movement at odds with Western democratic ideology and instead contends that, despite its excesses, as a radical form of political opposition the movement plays a central role in the processes of democratization and modernization.Over the last decade, political Islam has been denounced in the Western media and in the surrounding literature as a terrorist or fascist movement that is entirely at odds with Western democratic ideology. Kai Hafez's book overturns these arguments, contending that, despite its excesses, as a radical form of political opposition the movement plays a central role in the processes of democratization and modernization, and that these processes have direct parallels in the history and politics of the West. By analyzing the evolution of Christian democratization through the upheavals of the Reformation, colonisation, fascism, and totalitarianism, the book shows how radicalism and violence were constant accompaniments to political change, and that these components - despite assertions to the contrary - are still part of Western political culture to this day.

'This well-thought, well-written, well-argued book is a welcome addition to the debate on Islam, democracy and modernity. It aims at shattering stereotypes and well-ingrained ideas about the alleged militancy of Islamism or 'political Islam' and its anti-democratic character as well as its opposition to modernity. The remarkable ease and clarity with which Hafez writes render this book a joy to read.' Joseph Alagha, International Affairs

ISBN: 9780521763202

Dimensions: 235mm x 159mm x 18mm

Weight: 470g

260 pages