The Sharia State: Arab Spring and Democratization

Set Against The Backdrop Of The Arab Spring, The Sharia State Examines The Islamist Concept Of Political Order. This Order Is Based On A New Interpretation Of Sharia And Has Been Dubbed The Islamic State By Islamists. The Concept Of The Islamic State, Has Been Elevated To A Political Agenda And It Is This Agenda That Is Examined Here. In Contrast To The Prevailing View Which Sees The Arab Spring As A Revolution, This Book Argues That The Phenomenon Has Been Neither A Spring, Nor A Revolution. The Term 'arab Spring,' Connotes A Just Rebellion That Led To Toppling Dictators And Authoritarian Rulers, Yet In The Sharia State, Bassam Tibi Challenges The Unchecked Assumption That The Seizure Of Leadership By Islamists Is A Part Of The Democratization Of The Middle East. Providing A New Perspective On The Relationship Between The Arab Spring And Democratization, This Book Is An Essential Read For Students And Scholars Of Middle Eastern Studies, Islamic Studies And Politics.