The Future of Islam and the West: Clash of Civilizations or Peaceful Coexistence

(Hardback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Shireen Hunter provides a pragmatic analysis of relations between Islam and the West, marked by specific cases from the contemporary Islamic/Western divide. Her book provides an assessment of the relative role of civilizational factors in determining the nature of the state and the prospects for Muslim-Western relations (ie. whether they will be conflictual or cooperative). Hunter answers the question: can an accommodation between Islam and the West take place in a gradual and evolutionary manner or will it happen only after conflict and confrontation And, contrary to Huntington's thesis in "The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order" (Simon and Schuster, 1996), she finds that the reality of modern Islam offers room for hope.

Reviews

"(A) very effective rebuttal of Huntington's dangerous 'IClash of Civilizations' thesis, systematically dismantling the stereotypical simplicity of self-conscious 'cultures'."-Joseph Montville, Director CSIS Preventive Diplomacy & Conflict Resolution Project
"(Displays) Hunter's impressive knowledge of political Islam and the dynamics of Islamicist movements in various countries and contributes substantially to the debate on the role of Islam...in the contemporary environment. Lay public and policymakers (will find) deep insights into this delicate subject for policymaking toward the Muslim states."-Hafeez Malik Professor of Political Science, Villanova University editor, Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
"Really good! This study is packed with information and, more importantly, excellent analysis."-John Esposito, Director Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University
.,."thoughtful and useful books about the current Islamic political phenomenon, which complement and do not duplicate each other. Hunter presents a realistic, readable, and analytical argument showing....Hunter's final conclusion is convincing....Hunter's book is short and readable, making it useful for classes."-Int. J. Middle East Stud.
...thoughtful and useful books about the current Islamic political phenomenon, which complement and do not duplicate each other. Hunter presents a realistic, readable, and analytical argument showing....Hunter's final conclusion is convincing....Hunter's book is short and readable, making it useful for classes.-Int. J. Middle East Stud.
[T]he Future of Islam and the West is a fascinating countervailing study of Huntington's "civilized clash" thesis. Lucidly written and rich in details, the book makes interesting reading. Students of political science and religion, particularlly those with an interest in political Islam, should not pass an opportunity to read this invaluable addition to the debate on Islamic-Western relations.-Journal of Third World Studies
This book is a valuable stimulus to the thinking of policy makers, academic specialists, and previously initiated journalists and members of the public....Perhaps Hunter's greatest contribution is her debunking of popular misconceptions about Islam.-Comtemporary Security Policy
This impressive exploration of political Islam suggests ways in which to undermine the so-called intractable dichotomy between Islam and the West if one challenges certain basic and commonly held views regarding identity, community, and the vision of interstate relations in Islam.-Bulletin of Regional Cooperation in the Middle East
"The Future of Islam and the West is a fascinating countervailing study of Huntington's "civilized clash" thesis. Lucidly written and rich in details, the book makes interesting reading. Students of political science and religion, particularlly those with an interest in political Islam, should not pass an opportunity to read this invaluable addition to the debate on Islamic-Western relations."-Journal of Third World Studies
..."thoughtful and useful books about the current Islamic political phenomenon, which complement and do not duplicate each other. Hunter presents a realistic, readable, and analytical argument showing....Hunter's final conclusion is convincing....Hunter's book is short and readable, making it useful for classes."-Int. J. Middle East Stud.
"This book is a valuable stimulus to the thinking of policy makers, academic specialists, and previously initiated journalists and members of the public....Perhaps Hunter's greatest contribution is her debunking of popular misconceptions about Islam."-Comtemporary Security Policy
"This impressive exploration of political Islam suggests ways in which to undermine the so-called intractable dichotomy between Islam and the West if one challenges certain basic and commonly held views regarding identity, community, and the vision of interstate relations in Islam."-Bulletin of Regional Cooperation in the Middle East
"[T]he Future of Islam and the West is a fascinating countervailing study of Huntington's "civilized clash" thesis. Lucidly written and rich in details, the book makes interesting reading. Students of political science and religion, particularlly those with an interest in political Islam, should not pass an opportunity to read this invaluable addition to the debate on Islamic-Western relations."-Journal of Third World Studies

Author Bio

SHIREEN T. HUNTER is senior associate in Islamic Studies at CSIS in Washington, D.C. Her many books include Central Asia since Independence (Praeger/CSIS, 1996) and The Transcauccasus in Transition: Nation-Building and Conflict (CSIS, 1994), and she has been a frequent contributor to leading publications such as Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, and the Middle East Journal.