Georgetown University Press Radical Arab Nationalism and Political Islam

Review Sociologist Lahouari Addi unpacks the dynamic histories of radical Arab nationalism and political Islam, two major competing ideologies and state-building projects in the contemporary Middle East and North Africa. This book is also an original and lucid intervention focusing on Algeria's history through a wide variety of topics including secularization and Islamic law, sovereignty and authority, nationhood and modernity, morality and religion, ritual and social relationships.--Susan Slyomovics, Professor of Anthropology, UCLAThis is an excellent work, even a great book in its field. It writes from the inside of its topics--Islam, modernity, nationalism--and brings them together to show both their meeting point and their incompatibilities. The work is erudite, committed, communicative, from a position of deep absorption of classics in all these fields. Addi joins Abdou, Arkoun, and Taha (good company) in trying to square the triangle and comes out with integrity.--I. William Zartman, Professor Emeritus, Johns Hopkins University-SAISWhile he approaches the topic from a political-sociological perspective, the author discusses historical, cultural, political, and economic factors throughout the book, which allows the reader to appreciate the complexity of the issue. . . . Written in an accessible style and organized effectively, the book is likely to be of use to researchers, students, journalists, and readers with a general interest in the history and politics of the Middle East and North Africa; religion and politics; Islam and democracy; and nationalism.--Reading ReligionAn elegant and singularly useful book, addressing ideas and events of relevance to students of nationalism, religion, Islam, the Arab world, and the Middle East more broadly.--Middle East JournalAn important contribution to the extensive literature on the political uses of Islam . . . Offers a path toward a fruitful rethinking of Islam.--Journal of North African StudiesInsightful and wide-ranging analysis . . . A valuable perspective on contemporary Arab politics. --H-Net Product Description In Radical Arab Nationalism and Political Islam, Lahouari Addi attempts to assess the history and political legacy of radical Arab nationalism to show that it contained the seeds of its own destruction. While the revolutionary regimes promised economic and social development and sought the unity of Arab nations, they did not account for social transformations, such as freedom of speech, that would eventually lead to their decline. But while radical Arab nationalism fell apart, authoritarian populism did not disappear. Today it is expressed by political Islam that aims to achieve the kind of social justice radical Arab nationalism once promised. Addi creatively links the past and present while also raising questions about the future of Arab countries. Is political Islam the heir of radical Arab nationalism? If political Islam succeeds, will it face the same challenges faced by radical Arab nationalism? Will it be able to implement modernity? The future of Arab countries, Addi writes, depends on this crucial issue. published in collaboration with Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown University. From the Back Cover Lahouari Addi's assessment of the history and political legacy of radical Arab nationalism shows that it contained the seeds of its own destruction. While the revolutionary regimes promised economic and social development and sought the unity of Arab nations, they did not account for social transformations, such as freedom of speech, that would eventually lead to their decline. Radical Arab nationalism fell apart, but authoritarian populism did not disappear. Today it is expressed by political Islam, which aims to achieve the kind of social justice radical Arab nationalism once promised.Addi creatively links the past and present while also raising questions about the future of Arab countries. Is political Islam the heir o