Islamic Exceptionalism: How the Struggle Over Islam is Reshaping the World

摘要

Is Islam compatible with modernity? Can Muslim societies adapt to Westphalian democratic principles? Islamic Exceptionalism revisits this recurring debate by examining political transitions in Egypt, Tunisia and Turkey, where Islamist political parties have come to power through popular elections. Interestingly, the book chooses to examine the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) as one of the case studies of an Islamist group in power. Shadi Hamid provides significant insights on the post-Arab Spring developments in the Middle East: how the rise of Islamists reflects on the debate on Islam and democratisation, including the relevance of Islamists in Muslim societies and the world. Predominantly, Hamid focuses on the ascendance of Islamist political parties, their varying responses to challenges of local governance and the ability or lack thereof to be pragmatic amid diverse political opinions.