 | ISBN: 978-1-58826-088-8 $22.50 | |
| 2002/235 pages/LC: 2002019700 The Middle East in the International System | ||
Murden describes how a Western-designed set of economic and political norms, institutions, and regimes has come to be a hegemonic system. His focus is on the encounter between the Islamic vision of society, with its emphasis on community and social control, and the Western, liberal vision of economic liberation and individual choice. Attempting to make sense of the various political purposes to which Islam is being put in Middle Eastern states, he explores the response of the Islamic world to the penetration of the liberal political agenda.
Moving the debate beyond the polarization engendered by the "clash of civilizations" thesis, Murden reveals the complex interactions between Islam and the West that are shaping Middle Eastern politics.
"This volume is well worth reading and may serve as an introduction to courses on political Islam."—Paul Aarts, Middle East Journal
"Provides a serious, provocative analysis of the shape of the post-Cold War world.... No serious student of world affairs can afford to ignore this important book."—Glenn E. Perry, Perspectives on Political Science
"A critical, up-to-date, comparative analysis of the competing value systems of the West and the Muslim world.... Murden offers an excellent contribution to a comparartive political analysis of international political economics."—Choice