Islamic Activism: A Social Movement Theory Approach

by Quintan Wiktorowicz (Editor)

Overview

"... [Will] have an impact on two important fields of scholarship:
social movement theory and the study of Islamic activist movements." -- John
Voll, Georgetown University

This volume represents the first
comprehensive attempt to incorporate the study of Islamic activism into social
movement theory. It argues that the dynamics, processes, and organization of Islamic
activism can be understood as important elements of contention that transcend the
specificity of "Islam" as a system of meaning and identity and a basis for
collective action. Drawing on extensive fieldwork, the contributors show how social
movement theory can be utilized to address a wide range of questions about the
mobilization of contention in support of Muslim causes. The book covers myriad
examples of Islamic activism (Sunni and Shi'a) in eight countries (Arab and
non-Arab), including case studies of violence and contention, networks and
alliances, and culture and framing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780253110763
Publisher:	Indiana University Press
Publication date:	12/03/2003
Series:	Indiana Series in Middle East Studies
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	328
File size:	631 KB

About the Author

Quintan Wiktorowicz is Assistant Professor of International Studies at
Rhodes College and author of Global Jihad: Understanding September 11.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Table of Contents:

Foreword Charles
Tilly

Introduction: Islamic Activism and Social Movement Theory
Quintan Wiktorowicz

Part I. Violence and
Contention

1. From Marginalization to Massacres: A Political
Process Explanation of GIA Violence in Algeria Mohammed M.
Hafez

2. Violence as Contention in the Egyptian Islamic Movement
Mohammed M. Hafez and Quintan Wiktorowicz

3. Repertoires of
Contention in Contemporary Bahrain Fred H. Lawson

4. Hamas as
Social Movement Glenn E. Robinson

Part II. Networks and
Alliances

5. The Networked World of Islamist Social Movements
Diane Singerman

6. Islamist Women in Yemen: Informal Nodes of
Activism Janine A. Clark

7. Collective Action with and without
Islam: Mobilizing the Bazaar in Iran Benjamin Smith

8. The Islah
Party in Yemen: Political Opportunities and Coalition Building in a Transitional
Polity Jillian Schwedler

Part III. Culture and
Frames

9. Interests, Ideas, and Islamist Outreach in Egypt Carrie
Rosevsky Wickham

10. Making Conversation Permissible: Islamism and
Reform in Saudi Arabia Gwenn Okruhlik

11. Opportunity Spaces,
Identity, and Islamic Meaning in Turkey M. Hakan Yavuz

Conclusion:
Social Movement Theory and Islamic Studies Charles
Kurzman

Contributors

Editorial Reviews

"The book's brilliant thesis is that the Western authors need a social movement theory-paradigm to reveal the dynamics of the ongoing political and cultural movements in the Muslim world. . . . the book is a very good contribution to Islamism.July 2004"—M. A. Khan, Emory University

From the Publisher

The book's brilliant thesis is that the Western authors need a social movement theory-paradigm to reveal the dynamics of the ongoing political and cultural movements in the Muslim world. . . . the book is a very good contribution to Islamism.July 2004

Emory University - M. A. Khan

"The book's brilliant thesis is that the Western authors need a social movement theory-paradigm to reveal the dynamics of the ongoing political and cultural movements in the Muslim world.... the book is a very good contribution to Islamism." —M. A. Khan, Emory University, Choice, July 2004

— M. A. Khan, Emory University

Choice