Islam and the West : conflict or cooperation? / Amin Saikal.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Saikal, Amin, 1950-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Islam and world politics.

Islam and politics--History--20th century.

Islam and politics.

History.

Middle East--Foreign relations--United States.

Middle East.

International relations.

United States.

United States--Foreign relations--Middle East.

Physical Description:

ix, 171 pages : 1 map ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Basingstoke, Hampshire ; New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.

Summary:

The relations between the 'West' -- and in particular the United States -- and the 'domain of Islam' have grown tense, especially since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. In this important new book Amin Saikal takes issue with those who see this as exemplifying a clash of civilizations, arguing that it is rather the consequence of particular contentious contemporary factors that have disrupted a historical pattern marked at least as much by cooperation as by conflict. The military might of the United States, he argues, will not be enough to win the 'war on terrorism'; it must be accompanied by sound political strategy to address those factors -- from the effects of American globalism and the lack of democratization in the Arab world to the problem of Palestine -- that have provided moral and political 'nourishment' to terrorism but defy military solutions.

Contents:

1 September 11 and its Aftermath 6

2 Shared Values and Conflicts: The Historical Experience 24

Islam and Christianity 24

Peaceful coexistence 29

Colonialism and Islamic responses 33

Secular responses 39

3 US Globalism and Regional Domination 42

Early US involvement 43

'Containment' and US involvement in the Muslim world 48

Nationalist challenges 60

4 The Great Issues 69

The Iranian revolution 69

The Palestinian problem 89

Afghanistan 95

5 Democracy and Authoritarianism 111

The concept of democracy 111

Problems of democratization 112

The Iranian experience 114

The Egyptian and Algerian attempts 117

The roots of authoritarianism 124

Democratization or civil society? 127

6 Conclusion: The Way Forward 129.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 151-162) and index.

ISBN:

1403903573

1403903581

OCLC:

51818616