Since the events of 9/11; Salafism in the Middle East has often been perceived as fixed; rigid and even violent; but this assumption overlooks the quietist ideology that characterises many Salafi movements. Through an exploration of Salafism in Jordan; Joas Wagemakers presents the diversity among quietist Salafis on a range of ideological and political issues; particularly their relationship with the state. He expounds a detailed analysis of Salafism as a whole; whilst also showing how and why quietist Salafism in Jordan - through ideological tendencies; foreign developments; internal conflicts; regime involvement; theological challenges and regional turmoil - transformed from an independent movement into a politically domesticated one. Essential for graduate students and academic researchers interested in Middle Eastern politics and Salafism; this major contribution to the study of Salafism debunks stereotypes and offers insight into the development of a trend that still remains a mystery to many.
#662772 in Books 2015-01-20 2015-01-20Format: Deckle EdgeOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.74 x 1.17 x 5.98l; 1.25 #File Name: 1101874473320 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Douglas BreedenAn insightful look into history and the colonial period of America2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Don AndersonExcellent. Great writing style.13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Bailyn on History--Techniques and ResultsBy Ronald H. ClarkBernard Bailyn (born 1922) has been one of our leading historians of the colonial and revolutionary period since he began teaching at Harvard in 1953. His recognition has been consistent and substantial: two Pulitzer prizes; a Bancroft award; the National Book Award; and most recently the National Humanities Medal in 2010. He has practiced a variety of historical modes; everything form straight narrative history; to intellectual history; and recently his unique studies of the Atlantic World. He has written a whole slew of important books. So; the bottom line; is that he is one of our most distinguished historians and knows of what he speaks.This book consists of a series "of nine essays on history" delivered at various times on a variety of topics and approaches. However; I found that the reader did not need to worry about a lack of integration and common themes--each essay is rich and reflects Bailyn's interests; so the essays can stand alone. One theme that is reflected is Bailyn's willingness to employ new tools; such as statistics and data bases; to support his studies. This is reflected in the first essay on the slave trade; which draws upon some digital sources to fill out our understanding of this period. Bailyn next discusses one of his key themes; the need for historians to maintain the proper context in which the events they write about occurred. He ties this Herbert Butterfield who wrote eloquently of the "inevitable falsification" when historians study the past with reference to the present. This essay also reflects another of Bailyn's interests: comparative historical analysis--in this case Australia and the U.S.The third essay on recent rends in modern history is particularly interesting given Bailyn's long career. Here he discusses such themes as quantification; integration of latent and manifest events; inter-relationships in large-scale systems (such as his interest in Atlantic history); and the role of subjective experience. The essay on history and creative imagination I also found quite interesting; since Bailyn evaluates a number of major historians and tries to explain how they employed creative imagination in their studies. A fifth essay; "The Losers;" on the Loyalists during the revolution affords the opportunity to show how historical interpretation can change over time in the light of current events. Next; Bailyn takes a second look at Governor Thomas Hutchinson; the subject of one of his most renown books. Hutchinson learned that when faced with emotional founding fathers; logic and legal arguments can only carry one so far and not very far at that.One of Bailyn's interests; center v. periphery in the British empire; is reflected in an essay which discusses how both America and Scotland; long distances away from England; were "cultural provinces" impacted by England; in some similar ways. The eighth essay reflects a recent interest of the author; how the early British empire moved population around from various territories to each other. This represented one of the largest movements of population in history. The reasons for these transitions were varied; to settle colonies; to rid the homeland of "undesirables" such as convicts; and to provide the labor needed to develop colonial economies among others.Finally; in a most interesting discussion; Bailyn argues how the search for perfection; such as Utopianism; can turn dangerous if not enlightened. He discusses some specific examples; including the Puritans; the Jesuits and native peoples; Cromwell and William Penn. The author has included some 30 pages of helpful notes; an appendix listing the original locations of the essays; and a minimal index. Bailyn at his best is extraordinarily insightful and perceptive; and most stimulating to boot. These essays well demonstrate why he holds such unique predominance in his field. This is not dry historical theorizing but a gifted senior member of the profession able to look back over more than 50 years of teaching and writing; and share his insights with us.
