Egypt; 1925: the Muslim world is in turmoil over Mustapha Kamal Ataturk's proposal to abolish the caliphate in Turkey. The debate over Islam and politics re-ignites as traditional political systems dissolve under pressure from European powers and most Muslim countries lose their sovereignty. Into this debate enters Ali Abdel Razek; a religious cleric trained at Al-Azhar University; arguing in favour of secularism in his essay 'Islam and the Foundations of Political Power'; translated here and published in paperback for the first time.Scholarly features includeA substantial introduction that places the essay in its context and explains its impactAn appendix of Razek's sources with full publication detailsExplanatory notes beside Razek's original footnotesAdditional notes about particular people; events or vocabulary that may be unfamiliar to modern readers
#143157 in Books imusti 2015-01-20Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.50 x .35 x 5.02l; .0 #File Name: 0745690076152 pagesPolity
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Great wisdom in such a short bookBy Thomas PlateGreat wisdom in such a short book? So much for the belief that great scholars can't say much of value in less than 1;000 pages. This succinct measured essay on the contemporary role and station of the U.S. on the global stage has more measured wisdom per page than any short; recent book I can think of. Worth the price of purchase alone is the 'Further Reading' mini-chapter (pp. 128-133) at the end of this invaluable gem.Perfect for everyone; from all-knowing scholars; to just-learning students -- and even to semi-informed journalists; who don't have a lot of time for books that are much longer than they need be. Highly recommended by one of Harvard's most deserving star professors.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Thoughtful and well-informedBy Jack KesslerThoughtful and -- get this! almost-uniquely among the cascade of such commentaries now overwhelming the Trump Era... -- also well-informed. Joe Nye is the doyen of international relations writers -- he taught most of them -- and; helpfully; he writes really well. But it is his information; and how he packages presents it; which matters most: the comprehensive overview of the current mess -- international; geopolitical -- which all of us need now; as we wade through our too-many-medias; is easily usefully accessible to us all in this small; flowing; well-annotated text. All decision-makers should read it -- and all of us who vote for them should too. Highly recommended!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A primer for Development WorkersBy HoldridgeA convincing argument that America's wealth resides as much ( if not more) in its civil society and entrepreneur class as it does with its Military and Economic Resources. Described as 'Soft Power' by Professor Joseph Nye; it is essential to any enlightened leadership by the United States and behooves policy-makers and citizens alike to assure its good health as well as its emanation overseas. Speaking as one of them; this articulation should be an obligatory companion for any Non Governmental Organization which seeks to represent America and countries with allied values abroad. Without such; America's leadership will fail.
