Inevitable Caliphate?: A History of the Struggle for Global Islamic Union, 1924 to the Present
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Author Description
While In The West 'the Caliphate Evokes Overwhelmingly Negative Images, Throughout Islamic History It Has Been Regarded As The Ideal Islamic Polity. In The Wake Of The Arab Spring And The Removal Of Long-standing Dictators In The Middle East, In Which The Dominant Discourse Appears To Be One Of The Compatibility Of Islam And Democracy, Reviving The Caliphate Has Continued To Exercise The Minds Of Its Opponents And Advocates. Reza Pankhurst's Book Contributes To Our Understanding Of Islam In Politics, The Path Of Islamic Revival Across The Last Century And How The Popularity Of The Caliphate In Muslim Discourse Waned And Later Re-emerged. Beginning With The Abolition Of The Caliphate, The Ideas And Discourse Of The Muslim Brotherhood, Hizb Ut-tahrir, Al-qaeda And Other Smaller Groups Are Then Examined. A Comparative Analysis Highlights The Core Commonalities As Well As Differences Between The Various Movements And Individuals, And Suggests That As Movements Struggle To Re-establish A Polity Which Expresses The Unity Of The Ummah (or Global Islamic Community), The Caliphate Has Alternatively Been Ignored, Had Its Significance Minimised Or Denied, Reclaimed And Promoted As A Theory And Symbol In Different Ways, Yet Still Serves As A Political Ideal For Many.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the historical trajectory and political evolution of the Caliphate as a concept and goal within Islamic discourse from its 1924 abolition to the present day. Reza Pankhurst, a researcher in political science and Islamic history, utilizes a comparative framework to analyze how various movements have interpreted, promoted, or rejected the idea of a global Islamic polity. By examining the ideological shifts within groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood, Hizb ut-Tahrir, and Al-Qaeda, the author argues that the Caliphate remains a potent, albeit contested, political symbol in the modern era.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Historical analysis of the Caliphate's decline and subsequent re-emergence in political discourse.
- Comparative study of major Islamic movements and their varying approaches to the concept of the Ummah.
- Examination of the intersection between Islamic revivalism and modern geopolitical shifts.
Scope Limits
- The text focuses primarily on the political and ideological history of the Caliphate rather than a theological treatise on its religious necessity.
- It does not provide a comprehensive military history of the groups mentioned, focusing instead on their political theory and discourse.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and political analysts frequently cite this work as a balanced and necessary contribution to understanding the intellectual history of modern Islamic political movements. Readers often note that the prose is dense and academic, making it a valuable resource for those seeking a structured analysis of the Caliphate's role in contemporary global politics.
Page Count:
256
Publication Date:
2013-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press, Incorporated
ISBN-10:
0190257326
ISBN-13:
9780190257323
History
Islamic Studies
Middle Eastern
International relations