Middle Eastern politics and historical memory : martyrdom, revolution and forging national identities / Jacob Lassner.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lassner, Jacob, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Middle East--Politics and government--1945-.

Middle East.

Israel--Politics and government.

Israel.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (248 pages).

Edition:

First edition.

Distribution:

[London, England] : Bloomsbury Publishing, 2020

Place of Publication:

London [England] : I.B. Tauris, 2020.

Summary:

How is the complex history of the ancient Near East and Islamic World brought to bear in contemporary political discourse? In this book, Medieval Near Eastern historian Jacob Lassner explores the resonance of ancient and medieval history in the political disputes that dominate the contemporary Middle East. From identification with ancient forbears as a method of legitimization and nation-building, to tracing the deep history of the concept of revolution in the Arab world, the author probes the historical foundations of modern conflicts in the region. A medievalist, the author takes the position that an appreciation of cultural history is essential to understanding the debate surrounding the Israel/Palestine conflict. In turn, the book identifies the misappropriation and misunderstanding of the past, deliberate or accidental, as key weapon in the ongoing conflict.

Contents:

DEDICATORY PREFACE INTRODUCTION

PART ONE : IMAGINED HISTORY AND CONTEMPORANEOUS

POLITICAL BEHAVIOR

-ESSAY 1-

RECOVERING AND INVOKING AN IDEALIZED ISLAMIC PAST

Problems and Approaches to Competing Narratives and Historical Memories

-ESSAY 2-

MYTHS OF MARTYRDOM AND REBELLION

Recalling Muslim Self Sacrifice and Tribal Virtues of Manliness and Honor

-ESSAY 3-

MARTYRDOM VERSUS LOW PROFILE POLITICS

Interpreting the Past for Alternative Paths toward Regime Change and Political Legitimacy

-ESSAY 4-

'BEING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY'

The Concept and Praxis of a Proper Islamic Revolution

PART TWO: IDENTITY POLITICS AND NATION BUILDING

IN THE MODERN NEAR EAST

-ESSAY 5-

FORGING NATIONAL IDENTITIES IN THE MODERN ARAB NATION STATE

Inventing Legacies of Near and Distant Histories

-ESSAY 6-

THE HOLY LAND, CANAAN, AND ARABIA: THE QUEST FOR ARAB POLITY

Inventing an Ancient Past in Response to Zionism

-ESSAY 7-

THE USES AND MISUSES OF MODERN BIBLICAL SCHOLARSHIP

Academic Politics and National Identity: Egypt, Israel, and Palestine

ISBN:

9781838607272

1838607277

9781838607289

1838607285

OCLC:

1159688773