Analysis of Islamic Fundamentalism and Its Future Role in the Muslim World

摘要

Since the 1979 Shiite fundamentalist revolution in Iran, the Muslim world has experienced a resurgence in Islamic fundamentalism. This paper examines the future role of Islamic fundamentalism in the Muslim world. To accomplish this, the paper provides an historical review of the role of fundamentalism in Islamic society and an analysis of current trends including root causes of fundamentalism and differences in modern groups. Conservative fundamentalist groups have offered a pragmatic alternative to western secularism and radical fundamentalism. Because the fundamentalist movement gains its support from within the Islamic community it offers a unique solution to the political, economic, and cultural frustrations of the Muslim world. The apparent success of these Islamic government, with conservative fundamentalist support, in dealing with the economic, political, and cultural problems will determine the future political course of much of the Muslim world.