Read complete books and articles on: Democracy and Islam

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16 of the Best Books and Articles on: Democracy and Islam

as selected by Questia librarians

1.

Civil Democratic Islam: Partners, Resources, and Strategies » Read Now
by Cheryl Benard. 70 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

Islam's own internal struggles make it difficult for outsiders to understand the actors and the issues. The author sheds light on these issues and suggests ways for the international community to cope.
2.

Islam and Democracy » Read Now
by John L. Esposito, John O. Voll. 232 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

Religious resurgence and democratization have been two of the most significant developments of the last quarter of the twentieth century. Frequently they work together; other times they are at odds. In the muslim world, this relationship is of special importance because of the strength of the...
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Religious resurgence and democratization have been two of the most significant developments of the last quarter of the twentieth century. Frequently they work together; other times they are at odds. In the muslim world, this relationship is of special importance because of the strength of the Islamic resurgence, and the intensity of muslim demands for greater popular participation in political processes Esposito and Voll use six case studies to look at the history of this relationship and the role played by new Islamic movements. At one end of the spectrum, Iran and Sudan represent two cases of militant, revolutionary Islam opposing the political system. In Algeria and Malaysia however, the new movements have been legally recognized and made part of the political process. The authors identify several important factors, such as the legality or illegality of the new Islamic movements and the degree to which they cooperate with existing rulers, as being key to understanding the success or failure of these movements. Still, the case studies prove that despite the commonalities, differing national contexts and identities give rise to differences in agenda and method. This broad Spectrum of experience contains important lessons for understanding this complex and subtle relationship, and will also provide insight into the powerful forces of religion and democracy in a broader global context.
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3.

Democratization and the Islamist Challenge in the Arab World » Read Now
by Najib Ghadbian. 178 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, History, Entire Library

The rise of Islamic movements in the Arab world over the last decade coincided with a move toward democratization throughout the region, yet after hopeful early signs, progress toward democratization has stalled or even been reversed in all but a few countries. This book explores the linkages...
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The rise of Islamic movements in the Arab world over the last decade coincided with a move toward democratization throughout the region, yet after hopeful early signs, progress toward democratization has stalled or even been reversed in all but a few countries. This book explores the linkages between the move to democratize & the Islamist challenge, focusing on the struggle among ruling elites, secularists, & the Islamists to define collective identity & the proper role of Islam in politics.
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4.

Democratization in the Middle East: Experiences, Struggles, Challenges » Read Now
by Amin Saikal, Albrecht Schnabel. 211 pgs.

Collections: Entire Library

Democratization in the Middle East addresses a number of key issues determining the success or failure of sustainable democratization in the region. With the exception of Israel in certain specific ways, the constituent states have yet to reach a level of democratization that would guarantee a path...
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Democratization in the Middle East addresses a number of key issues determining the success or failure of sustainable democratization in the region. With the exception of Israel in certain specific ways, the constituent states have yet to reach a level of democratization that would guarantee a path towards sustainable democracy and prevent a future return to non-democratic governance, and de-secularization and de-liberalization of the economy and society. Peace dividends from sustained democratization processes in the Middle East are still years away from realization. If anything, movement towards political, economic, and cultural liberalization has thus far brought instability and violence to the region, as traditional and religious values continue to clash with secular ethics, norms, and practices. Drawing on conceptual and country analyses. This book examines patterns of democracy; costs and benefits, barriers and support; relationship between civil society and the state; internal and external factors of democracy; the relationship between Islam and Islamic movements and democratization; experiences of democratic transition processes and resulting national and regional peace dividends; and the interdependence of development, peace and democratization, and political and economic transition. The contributors to the volume come to the conclusion that, in order to advance democratization processes throughout the region, reforms must be gradual and must be organized and monitored from the top, while supplemented by a similarly gradual process towards the establishment of a broad-based and broadly supported civil society. Only such gradual reform processes will be successful in creating participatory, just and, eventually, peaceful and stable societies in the Middle East (UNU website).
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5.

Islam and Democracy: Fear of the Modern World » Read Now
by Fatima Mernissi. 198 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

...time." -- Vanity Fair -ii- Islam and Democracy Other Books by Fatima Mernissi...Dynamics in Modern Muslim Society Islam and Democracy Fear of the Modern World...Data...
6.

The Islamic Roots of Democratic Pluralism » Read Now
by Abdulaziz Sachedina. 175 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

This book tackles the most significant issues facing Muslims today. Sachedina argues that we must reopen the doors of religious interpretation--to correct false interpretations, replace outdated laws, and formulate new doctrines. His book critically analyzes Muslim teachings on such issues as...
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This book tackles the most significant issues facing Muslims today. Sachedina argues that we must reopen the doors of religious interpretation--to correct false interpretations, replace outdated laws, and formulate new doctrines. His book critically analyzes Muslim teachings on such issues as pluralism, civil society, war and peace, and violence and self-sacrifice.
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7.

Islam, Democracy, the State and the West, in Middle East Policy » Read Now
by Hasan Turabi. 13 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

...ISLAM, DEMOCRACY, THE STATE AND THE WEST Summary...that the repression has ostracized Islam from democracy and compelled it to become revolutionary...have come to believe...
8.

Islam, Gender, Culture, and Democracy, in International Journal of Comparative Sociology » Read Now
by Ronald Inglehart. 5 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

...Islam, gender, culture, and democracy. by Ronald Inglehart...with the relationship between Islam and democracy. Interestingly, all three writers...claims of those who...
9.

Liberal Islam: A Source Book ("Part II: Democracy" begins on p. 57) » Read Now
by Charles Kurzman. 350 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

This book contends that "Liberal Islam" is not a contradiciton in terms, but rather a thriving tradition more than a century old and undergoing a revival within the last generation. This anthology presents the translated work of 32 Muslims who are concerned with the separation of church and state...
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This book contends that "Liberal Islam" is not a contradiciton in terms, but rather a thriving tradition more than a century old and undergoing a revival within the last generation. This anthology presents the translated work of 32 Muslims who are concerned with the separation of church and state, democracy, the condiditon of women, the rights of minorities, freedom of thought, and the future of human progress. The collection will be an important resource for scholars and students of Islam, the Middle East, and international affairs, and will serve the larger purpose of redressing the imbalance in our perceptions of the Islamic world.
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10.

Islam, Democracy and Human Rights: The Continuing Debate in the West, in Middle East Policy » Read Now
by Mahmood Monshipouri, Christopher G. Kukla. 18 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

...ISLAM, DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS: THE CONTINUING DEBATE...10 See Robin Wright, "Islam, Democracy and the West" in Foreign Affairs...Louis J. Cantori and Arthur Lowrie, "...
11.

Reason, Freedom, & Democracy in Islam: Essential Writings of Abdolkarim Soroush » Read Now
by Mahmoud Sadri, Ahmad Sadri. 238 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

In recent years Abdolkarim Soroush has emerged as one of the leading revisionist thinkers of the Muslim world. Translated into English for the first time, this book features a critical introduction by the editors and an original interview that reveals the intellectual biography of the author. It...
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In recent years Abdolkarim Soroush has emerged as one of the leading revisionist thinkers of the Muslim world. Translated into English for the first time, this book features a critical introduction by the editors and an original interview that reveals the intellectual biography of the author. It sets forth Soroush's views on such matters as the inevitability of change in religion, the necessity of freedom of belief, and the compatibility of Islam with democracy.
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12.

Democracy and Islam in the New Constitution of Afghanistan » Read Now
by Khaled M. Abou El Fadl, et. al. 56 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, History, Entire Library

In January 2003, RAND called together a group of renowned experts with knowledge in the fields of Islamic law, constitution writing, and democracy, who also possessed specific country and regional expertise. Keeping in mind the realities of Afghanistan's current situation and drawing from the...
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In January 2003, RAND called together a group of renowned experts with knowledge in the fields of Islamic law, constitution writing, and democracy, who also possessed specific country and regional expertise. Keeping in mind the realities of Afghanistan's current situation and drawing from the experiences of other countries, the group identified practical ideas, particularly about the treatment of Islam in the constitution, for those involved in the drafting of Afghanistan's new constitution.
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13.

Algeria's Islamist Revolution: The People Versus Democracy?, in Middle East Policy » Read Now
by Hamou Amirouche. 22 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library
14.

Civil Islam: Muslims and Democratization in Indonesia » Read Now
by Robert W. Hefner. 282 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, History, Entire Library

"Civil Islam" tells the story of Islam and democratization in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation. Challenging stereotypes of Islam as antagonistic to democracy, this study of courage and reformation in the face of state terror suggests possibilities for democracy in the Muslim world and...
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"Civil Islam" tells the story of Islam and democratization in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation. Challenging stereotypes of Islam as antagonistic to democracy, this study of courage and reformation in the face of state terror suggests possibilities for democracy in the Muslim world and beyond.
Democratic in the early 1950s and with rich precedents for tolerance and civility, Indonesia succumbed to violence. In 1965, Muslim parties were drawn into the slaughter of half a million communists. In the aftermath of this bloodshed, a "New Order" regime came to power, suppressing democratic forces and instituting dictatorial controls that held for decades. Yet from this maelstrom of violence, repressed by the state and denounced by conservative Muslims, an Islamic democracy movement emerged, strengthened, and played a central role in the 1998 overthrow of the Soeharto regime. In 1999, Muslim leader Abdurrahman Wahid was elected President of a reformist, civilian government.
In explaining how this achievement was possible, Robert Hefner emphasizes the importance of civil institutions and public civility, but argues that neither
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15.

Legacy of the Prophet: Despots, Democrats, and the New Politics of Islam ("The Changing Legacy" begins on p. 251) » Read Now
by Anthony Shadid. 336 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, History, Entire Library

...Interpretations, and the Onset of Islam in Democracy 251 Epilogue...this book: the opening of Islam to democracy. Tied up in that phenomenon...crucial to the debate over...
16.

Palestinian Attitudes toward Democracy and Its Compatibility with Islam: Evidence from Public Opinion Research in the West Bank and Gaza, in Arab Studies Quarterly (ASQ) » Read Now
by Audra K. Grant, Mark A. Tessler. 20 pgs.

Collections: Religious Studies, Entire Library

...compatibility between democracy and Islam. DEMOCRACY IN THE ARAB WORLD The 1980s...below, the relationship between Islam and democracy has been the subject of...