Democratization and the Islamist challenge in the Arab world
By: Najib Ghadbian.
Series: State, culture, and society in Arab North Africa
Publisher: Westview Press
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Boulder, Colo
Language: eng
Number of pages: 171
Subjects: Islam and politics -- Arab countries; Islam and state -- Arab countries; Islam -- 20th century; Democratization -- Arab countries; Arab countries -- politics and government -- 1945-
Description: This book explores the linkages between the move to democratize and the Islamist challenge, focusing on the struggle among ruling elites, secularists, and the Islamists to define collective identity - that is, to define what common orientations unite the polity and how disagreements can be addressed, particularly regarding the place of Islam in politics.

The author surveys democratization measures since 1980 and analyzes the nature of the Islamist challenge, exploring the factors behind the rise of fundamentalism, the agendas of various Islamic movements, and Islamist concepts of democracy. In a final section the author offers in-depth case studies of Egypt and Jordan.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 151-159) and index.