Islamists and the Global Order: Between Resistance and Recognition

The book challenges the belief that Islamists uniformly reject the Western-dominated world order, suggesting that only a fraction of Islamist groups genuinely combat the global order while recognizing certain aspects of it.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2024
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

This book presents a thought-provoking challenge to the commonly held belief that Islamists uniformly reject the Western-dominated world order. In the wake of George W. Bush's declaration of a global war on terror in 2001, Islamists have often been associated with violence, opposition to liberal values, and the disruption of order. However, a closer examination reveals that only a fraction of the groups categorized as Islamist genuinely combat the global order. Through an in-depth analysis of the discourses of Tunisian Ennahda and Lebanese Hezbollah, this book demonstrates that Islamist stances toward the world order involve a delicate balance between resistance to certain aspects of the Western-dominated order and recognition of others.

Islamists have been associated with violence, opposition to liberal values, and the disruption of order in the wake of George W. Bush's declaration of a global war on terror in 2001. However, a closer examination reveals that only a fraction of the groups categorized as Islamist genuinely combat the global order. This book presents a thought-provoking challenge to this belief by analyzing the discourses of Tunisian Ennahda and Lebanese Hezbollah.

Tunisian Ennahda, a moderate Islamist party, has been in power since 2011. Its leader, Rached Ghannouchi, has emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation with the West. He has also criticized the Western-dominated world order for its exploitation of the developing world and its disregard for human rights. However, Ghannouchi has also defended the right of Muslims to resist foreign occupation and has called for the establishment of an Islamic state in Tunisia.

Lebanese Hezbollah, a Shi'a Islamist group, has been involved in a series of conflicts with Israel and the United States since the 1980s. Its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has defended the group's actions as a response to Israeli aggression and has called for the establishment of an Islamic state in Lebanon. However, Nasrallah has also criticized the Western-dominated world order for its support of Israel and its interference in the Middle East.

This book argues that Islamist stances toward the world order involve a delicate balance between resistance to certain aspects of the Western-dominated order and recognition of others. Islamists recognize the need for economic development and social justice, but they also believe that the Western-dominated world order is unjust and oppressive. They argue that the Western-dominated world order is based on a system of exploitation and domination that has led to the suffering of many people around the world.

Islamists have developed a range of strategies to combat the Western-dominated world order. These strategies include political activism, social work, and armed resistance. Political activism involves working to change the political system and to promote the interests of Muslims. Social work involves providing assistance to the poor and marginalized. Armed resistance involves using violence to resist foreign occupation and to establish an Islamic state.

However, Islamist strategies have also been criticized for their use of violence and their disregard for human rights. Some Islamist groups have been involved in terrorist attacks, and they have been accused of human rights abuses. This has led to a backlash against Islamist groups in many parts of the world.

In response to these criticisms, Islamist groups have attempted to reform their strategies. Some groups have adopted a more moderate approach, while others have continued to advocate for the establishment of an Islamic state. However, the success of these reforms has been limited.

One of the challenges facing Islamist groups is the lack of political legitimacy. Many Islamist groups are seen as illegitimate by the Western-dominated world order, and they are often excluded from political processes. This has led to a sense of frustration and anger among many Muslims.

Another challenge facing Islamist groups is the rise of extremist groups. Extremist groups are often more radical than Islamist groups and they are more likely to use violence to achieve their goals. This has led to a sense of insecurity among many Muslims.

In conclusion, this book presents a thought-provoking challenge to the commonly held belief that Islamists uniformly reject the Western-dominated world order. Through an in-depth analysis of the discourses of Tunisian Ennahda and Lebanese Hezbollah, this book demonstrates that Islamist stances toward the world order involve a delicate balance between resistance to certain aspects of the Western-dominated order and recognition of others. While Islamist strategies have been criticized for their use of violence and their disregard for human rights, they have also been successful in promoting the interests of Muslims. However, the success of these reforms has been limited, and Islamist groups face a number of challenges in the future.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399515856