Islam and Democracy after the Arab Spring

by John L. Esposito, Tamara Sonn, John O. Voll

Overview

The landscape of the Middle East has changed dramatically since 2011, as have the political arena and the discourse around democracy. In Islam and Democracy after the Arab Spring, John L. Esposito, John Voll, and Tamara Sonn examine the state of democracy in Muslim-majority societies today. Applying a twenty-first century perspective to the question of whether Islam is "compatible" with democracy, they redirect the conversation toward a new politics of democracy that transcends both secular authoritarianism and Political Islam.

While the opposition movements of the Arab Spring vary from country to country, each has raised questions regarding equality, economic justice, democratic participation, and the relationship between Islam and democracy in their respective countries. Does democracy require a secular political regime? Are religious movements the most effective opponents of authoritarian secularist regimes? Esposito, Voll, and Sonn examine these questions and shed light on how these opposition movements reflect the new global realities of media communication and sources of influence and power. Positioned for a broad readership of scholars and students, policy-makers, and media experts, Islam and Democracy after the Arab Spring will quickly become a go-to for all who watch the Middle East, inside and outside of academia.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195147988
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	11/02/2015
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

John L. Esposito is University Professor, Professor of Religion & International Affairs and of Islamic Studies, and Founding Director of the Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

Tamara Sonn is the Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor in the History of Islam in the Alwaleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

John O. Voll is Professor Emeritus of Islamic History and past Associate Director of the Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Islam, Democracy and Turkey's Secular State
Chapter 3: Iran: Classical Themes and Contemporary Challenges
Chapter 4: Pakistan: A Work in Progress
Chapter 5: Indonesia: From Military Rule to Democracy
Chapter 6: Senegal: Democracy and the Post-Colonial State
Chapter 7: Tunisia: From Revolution to Republic
Chapter 8: Egypt: From Democratization to the Restoration of Authoritarianism
Chapter 9: Conclusion
Notes
Index

Editorial Reviews

09/14/2015
Esposito, Tamara, and Voll offer context and analysis of the past in an attempt to forecast democracy’s future within Islamic countries in light of the events of the Arab Spring of 2010, when the latest wave of democratizing forces in the Middle East became globally visible. To explore the varying degrees of democracy in Islamic nations, the authors undertake case studies of Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Senegal, Tunisia, and Egypt. Their results will silence those who contend that the Muslim world is an unlikely participant in democratization developments in the 21st century. The authors provide excellent historical background, tracing the contours of each country’s political annals and introducing the important figures, political movements, cultural antecedents, and popular constituencies that make up its political mosaic. Focusing on Islam’s political (or in some cases apolitical) expressions, they present many facets of Islam with balance and insight. This is a detailed picture of democracy as alive and well in majority-Muslim countries, and an excellent text for considering what the future holds for international Islam. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

"This valuable book is highly recommended for understanding the contemporary dilemma of Muslin states caught, as they are, between modernity, tradition and certain ideologies." — The Muslim World Book Review Vol.38.2

"Islam and Democracy after the Arab Spring is a book of exceptional resolve..."—Journal of Church and State

"This is a very timely book. At a time where many observers are questioning the possibility of a true democratic process within Muslim majority countries, this series of essays shows, from Turkey to Iran, Senegal to Indonesia, that the political experiences are multiple and the way toward democratization is complex, yet open. The authors invite the reader to avoid simplistic conclusions about Islam and democracy. A critical achievement." —Tariq Ramadan, Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at the University of Oxford

"Democracy can take many forms, and the struggle of Muslim majority countries to find a democracy suited to their distinct cultural and political experiences is, as outlined in Islam and Democracy after the Arab Spring, an epoch-making experiment. Countering the 'clash of civilizations' and 'end of history' prophecies, Esposito, Sonn, and Voll show how pre- and post-Arab spring political developments in Muslim majority countries are marathon battles to end authoritarian practices in politics, religion, culture and statecraft. A must-read for those wishing to gain a nuanced understanding of the volatile and complex developments tied to Muslim efforts to make democracy a reality." —Ebrahim Moosa, Professor of Islamic Studies, Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame

"For those who see in the apparent failure of the 'Arab spring' proof of the incompatibility of Islam and democratization, Esposito, Sonn, and Voll's new book offers a nuanced and brilliant rejoinder. No work that I know succeeds better at explaining the logic of the political struggles underway in the modern Muslim world. None more fully deserves to be read by scholars and the general reader alike." —Robert W. Hefner, author of Civil Islam: Muslims and Democratization in Indonesia

"Excellent historical background… they present many facets of Islam with balance and insight. This is a detailed picture of democracy as alive and well in majority-Muslim countries, and an excellent text for considering what the future holds for international Islam." - Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher