... 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.
A Genealogy of Radical Islam WIKTOROWICZ, QUINTAN
Studies in conflict and terrorism,
03/2005, Letnik:
28, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
A genealogy of the radical ideas that underline al-Qaeda"s justification for violence shows that the development of jihadi thought over the past several decades is characterized by the erosion of ...critical constraints used to limit warfare and violence in classical Islam. This erosion is illustrated by the evolution of jihadi arguments related to apostasy and waging jihad at home, global jihad, civilian targeting, and suicide bombings.
Anatomy of the Salafi Movement Wiktorowicz, Quintan
Studies in conflict and terrorism,
04/2006, Letnik:
29, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The Salafi movement (often referred to as the Wahhabis) includes such diverse figures as Osama bin Laden and the Mufti of Saudi Arabia and reflects a broad array of positions regarding issues related ...to politics and violence. This article explains the sources of unity that connect violent extremists with nonviolent puritans. Although Salafis share a common religious creed, they differ over their assessment of contemporary problems and thus how this creed should be applied. Differences over contextual interpretation have produced three major Salafi factions: purists, politicos, and jihadis.
The Rationality of Radical Islam Wiktorowicz, Quintan; Kaltenthaler, Karl
Political science quarterly,
06/2016, Letnik:
131, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Why do Islamist radicals engage in high-cost/risk activism that exposes them to arrest, repression, and even death? At a group level, it appears perfectly rational: zealous contention places enormous ...pressures on adversaries and in creases the likelihood that the group will achieve its objective. Robert Pape’s study of suicide terrorism provides some empirical evidence that extreme forms of activism do indeed produce concessions from opponents. Yet, although extreme tactics may be deployed as part of a logical, coherent, and rational strategy to maximize group goals, is it “rational” for the individual perpetrators? Why not free-ride off the efforts of others rather than jeopardize personal self-interest?
Most approaches to civil society view formal associationalism as a mechanism of collective empowerment. However, under political liberalization from above civil society may act more as an instrument ...of state social control. Many Middle East regimes have encouraged civil organizations because they capture associational activities in a system of control predicated upon disciplinary and bureaucratic power. Collective action is channeled into managed and regulated civil organizations in which associationalism is carefully observed and monitored. Jordan, with its emphasis on nongovernmental organizations, demonstrates that transparent civil organizations, rendered pliant to regulation and oversight, can be used to enhance the regime's social control, even after political liberalization.
Nongovermental organizations (NGOs) are frequently touted as important actors in democratization. Yet despite the proliferation of NGOs since the advent of political liberalization and ...democratization in Jordan, they remain circumscribed by the realities of continued state power. Because the political transition was informed by a desire to perpetuate regime survival in the midst of economic crisis, NGOs continue to experience political limits to their activities. The regime primarily relies upon three strategies to control the NGO community: (a) administrative repression and oversight; (b) civil society “infiltration” through royal nongovernmental organizations and other government NGOs; and (c) centralization through the General Union of Voluntary Societies.
The Rationality of Radical Islam WIKTOROWICZ, QUINTAN; KALTENTHALER, KARL
Political science quarterly,
07/2006, Letnik:
121, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Wiktorowicz and Kaltenthaler examine why Islamist radicals engage in high-cost/risk activism that exposes them to arrest, repression, and even death. At a group level, it appears perfectly ...rational--zealous contention places enormous pressures on adversaries and increases the likelihood that the group will achieve its objective. Robert Pape's study of suicide terrorism provides some empirical evidence that extreme forms of activism do indeed produce concessions from opponents. They further argue that radical Islamic groups offer spiritual selective incentives to individuals who are concerned with the hereafter.
This article emphasizes the credibility of popular intellectuals as a point of contention in framing contests. A movement group – a faction, clique, submovement, network cluster, organization, etc. – ...asserts its authority to speak on behalf of an issue or constituency by emphasizing the perceived knowledge, character, and logic of its popular intellectuals while attacking those of rivals. Four basic framing strategies relevant to the credibility of popular intellectuals are identified: (1) vilification – demonizing competing popular intellectuals; (2) exaltation – praising ingroup popular intellectuals; (3) credentialing – emphasizing the expertise of the ingroup intellectuals; and (4) decredentialing – raising questions about the expertise of rivals. Al-Qaeda's intramovement framing struggle with nonviolent Islamic fundamentalists over the permissibility of violence is used as a case study. In an attempt to assert its right to sacred authority, the movement portrays scholars who support its jihad as logical, religious experts of good repute while characterizing opposing clerical popular intellectuals as emotional, corrupt, naïve, and ill-informed about politics.
The ruling to kill the Americans and their allies‐civilians and military‐ is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible to do it, in order to liberate ...al‐Aqsa Mosque and the holy mosques from their grip, and in order for their armies to move out of all the lands of Islam, defeated and unable to threaten any Muslim. This is in accordance with the words of Almighty God. “And fight the pagans all together as they fight you all together,” and “Fight them until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevails justice and faith in God.”
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