Islamic Political Thought - by Gerhard Bowering (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A concise and authoritative introduction to Islamic political ideas

In sixteen concise chapters on key topics, this book provides a rich, authoritative, and up-to-date introduction to Islamic political thought from the birth of Islam to today, presenting essential background and context for understanding contemporary politics in the Islamic world and beyond. Selected from the acclaimed Princeton Encyclopedia of Islamic Political Thought, and focusing on the origins, development, and contemporary importance of Islamic political ideas and related subjects, each chapter offers a sophisticated yet accessible introduction to its topic. Written by leading specialists and incorporating the latest scholarship, the alphabetically arranged chapters cover the topics of authority, the caliphate, fundamentalism, government, jihad, knowledge, minorities, modernity, Muhammad, pluralism and tolerance, the Qur'an, revival and reform, shariʿa (sacred law), traditional political thought, 'ulama' (religious scholars), and women. Read separately or together, these chapters provide an indispensable resource for students, journalists, policymakers, and anyone else seeking an informed perspective on the complex intersection of Islam and politics.

The contributors are Gerhard Bowering, Ayesha S. Chaudhry, Patricia Crone, Roxanne Euben, Yohanan Friedmann, Paul L. Heck, Roy Jackson, Wadad Kadi, John Kelsay, Gudrun Krämer, Ebrahim Moosa, Armando Salvatore, Aram A. Shahin, Emad El-Din Shahin, Devin J. Stewart, SherAli Tareen, and Muhammad Qasim Zaman.

A new afterword discusses the essays in relation to contemporary political developments.

Review Quotes

"Islamic Political Thought, with its highly sophisticated yet eminently readable treatments of every major theme within the topical domain of its title, is a highly valuable contribution to the literature on Islam and politics."---Peter Mandaville, Journal of Islamic Studies

"Praise for Princeton's previous edition: "[A] timely volume.""-- "Library Journal"

"Praise for Princeton's previous edition: "[L]ucid and engaging . . . Enlightening and challenging . . . [A] work of high-quality erudition packaged in an accessible manner which will benefit a wider readership.""-- "Times Literary Supplement"

"Praise for Princeton's previous edition: "[U]nprecedented . . . [A] truly impressive opus in content, organization, and diversity. . . . Though written for educated nonspecialists, this book has plenty of historical and contemporary wisdom and information to offer diplomats, researchers, students, journalists, and even some Islamic specialists and scholars confronting today's complex and challenging political milieu.""-- "Choice"

"This is a book of major importance for Muslims, particularly in the West."---Murad Wilfried Hofmann, Muslim World Book Review

About the Author

Gerhard Bowering is professor of Islamic studies at Yale University and the editor of "The Princeton Encyclopedia of Islamic Political Thought."