Beschreibung:
This book challenges the widespread view that Islam is a reactionary religion defending tradition against modernity and individual freedom.
1. Introduction; 2. Insights from early modern Europe; 3. Conflation between religion and politics: the case of Islam; 4. The dominant system of politico-religious relations in Islam: a historical perspective; 5. The rise of Islam in conditions of state crisis: the case of weak states; 6. The rise of Islam in conditions of state crisis: the case of kleptocratic despotism; 7. Islamism in historical and international perspective; 8. Revivalist movements in other religions; 9. Enlightened despotism examined; 10. Islam, politics, and the challenge of enforcement; Bibliography; Index.