Militant Islam

<p>Militant Islam provides a sociological framework for understanding the rise and character of recent Islamic militancy. It takes a systematic approach to the phenomenon and includes analysis of cases from around the world, comparisons with militancy in other religions, and their causes and consequences.</p><p>The sociological concepts and theories examined in the book include those associated with social closure, social movements, nationalism, risk, fear and ‘de-civilising’. These are applied within three main themes; characteristics of militant Islam, multi-layered causes and the consequences of militancy, in particular Western reactions within the ‘war on terror’. Interrelationships between religious and secular behaviour, ‘terrorism’ and ‘counter-terrorism’, popular support and opposition are explored. Through the examination of examples from across Muslim societies and communities, the analysis challenges the popular tendency to concentrate upon ‘al-Qa’ida’ and the Middle East.</p><p>This book will be of interest to students of Sociology, Political Science and International Relations, in particular those taking courses on Islam, religion, terrorism, political violence and related regional studies.</p> <p>Introduction 1. The al-Qa’ida Phenomenon and beyond: Myths and Realities 2. Militant Islam in Local, National and Transnational Networks 3. Re-Interpreting the Umma: Islamic Nationalism and Transnationalism 4. Social Closure and Takfir: The Interrelationship between Secular and Militant ‘Switchmen’ 5. Challenging the Risk Society: Contextualising the Impact of ‘Islamic’ Terrorism 6. Reacting to the Militant Risk: De-civilising in the name of Civilisation. Conclusion</p>