The Sociology of Islam: Secularism, Economy and Politics - Softcover

Tugrul Keskin

9780863724251: The Sociology of Islam: Secularism, Economy and Politics

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0863724256 ISBN 13: 9780863724251

Publisher: Ithaca Press, 2012

The contribution of Islam to world civilization is undeniable, however in the last one hundred years, Muslims have been faced with all the effects and ramifications of modernity, caused by the emergence of global capitalism. What does modernity ultimately mean for Muslims, and how will the historical precepts of Islam meet with changes in our globalized world? To date, most scholars on Islam have tried to understand Muslim societies from historical observation alone; however, this simplistic academic approach does not allow us to understand the entire transformation that has taken place in Muslim societies. Sociological scholarship, on the other hand, argues that it would be difficult to understand Islam without first understanding the theoretical and practical underpinnings of the social structure of Muslim societies which are embedded in the relationship between religion, the economy, politics and society. This book, therefore, will attempt to make a connection between the economic system and its social and political consequences within Muslim societies. To do this, it will examine the role of Islam within Muslim societies in the context of ongoing and increasingly powerful neoliberal economic processes in a globalized world. The Muslim understanding of secularism, modernity, the state, collective identity, immigration, and Islamic political thought and economic life are all shaped by forces of globalization and new market conditions. However, this is a mutually constitutive process, as Islam also influences the West and its perceptions of Islam because of the interdependent relations brought about by the global economy. These interdependencies create social and political transformation on both sides.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:

Tugrul Keskin brings wisdom and a deep cosmopolitan commitment to his scholarship. This may be the first book ever published that clarifies the social, political and economic context of Islam and the complex relations between Muslim and predominately non-Muslim societies. The Sociology of Islam will open up new inquires. It is an important book. --Judith Blau Department of Sociology - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

In recent years the sociological study of Islam has emerged as a distinct forum. In this collection, Tugrul Keskin and his contributors exemplify some of the most useful approaches in this vibrant field. They explore how Islam is employed in several contemporary areas of sociological concern, including globalization, economic conditions, immigration, civic cultures, diversity, and public philosophy. As such, this volume should be of great interest to the students and scholars of Islam alike. --Mohammed Bamyeh Department of Sociology - University of Pittsburgh

This book is a must read for individuals in the policy and academic worlds who want to gain insight into complexities of Muslim societies. Contributors cover a large geographic area and provide profound analysis of relations between economics and socio-political development in several Muslim societies. --Birol Yesilada Contemporary Turkish Studies Endowed Chair - Hatfield School of Government, Portland State University

About the Author:

Tugrul Keskin is currently an Assistant Professor of International and Middle East Studies at Portland State University. Previously, Dr Keskin was an Adjunct Professor in Sociology and Africana Studies at Virginia Tech and has also served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology at James Madison and Radford Universities. He is a moderator of the Sociology of Islam and Sociology of the Middle East Listserv, and editor of the Sociology of Islam and Muslim Societies Newsletter. He is also a member of the Middle East Sociology Working Group.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.