
Islamic Activism
A Social Movement Theory Approach
Quintan Wiktorowicz(Editor)
Indiana University Press
Published on 3. December 2003
Book
Paperback/Softback
328 pages
978-0-253-21621-2 (ISBN)
Description
" . . . [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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
"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 UniversityMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Bloomington, IN
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
3 figures, 1 index
Dimensions
Height: 236 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
485 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-253-21621-2 (9780253216212)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition

Book
11/2003
Indiana University Press
€54.47
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Quintan Wiktorowicz is Assistant Professor of International Studies at Rhodes College and author of Global Jihad: Understanding September 11.
Content
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
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