Secularism Confronts Islamism: Divergent Paths of Transitional Negotiations in Egypt and Tunisia

The book explores the recent confrontation between Islamists and secularists in Egypt and Tunisia, offering a new approach to understanding Islamism and secularism. The conflict hindered democratization and political stability in the Middle East, leading to disputes over leadership, polarization, and the drafting of the constitution. The book provides insights from the Arab Spring experience and is a valuable resource for academics and students interested in democratization theory and Middle East politics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The recent confrontation between Islamists and secularists in Egypt and Tunisia has been the subject of in-depth examination in this book, which offers a fresh perspective on understanding Islamism and secularism. The research addresses the factors that could influence the outcome of transitional negotiations, providing a novel approach to understanding these two political trends.

The secularist-Islamist conflict has posed a significant obstacle to democratization and has been a primary source of political instability in the Middle East. During the Arab Spring, disputes between these two political movements erupted shortly after their common enemy, the autocratic rulers, was deposed. Initially, there were disagreements regarding how to govern the transitional period. As the political competition intensified in the parliamentary and presidential elections, as well as during the drafting of the constitution, polarization deepened, leading to further ideological disagreements.

Ultimately, this conflict pushed Tunisia to the brink of civil strife in the summer of 2013 and ultimately led to the collapse of the transitional process in Egypt following the military coup.

In examining the causes of the conflict between secularists and Islamists during the transitional period, this work offers valuable insights from the Arab Spring experience. By updating the transition literature, the book serves as a crucial resource for academics and students interested in democratization theory and Middle East politics.

Weight: 626g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032133737