Political Islam, World Politics and Europe

Is political Islam compatible with democracy?

The rise of political Islam, as a force in world politics, has prompted questions and theories concerning its nature and compatibility with democratic values. Not least have been discussions and conflicts within Islamic communities, particularly in Europe where choices of identity and allegiance are growing acute.

Bassam Tibi provides a broad ranging assessment of political Islam in the world, in all its various manifestations. In particular he focuses on Europe which is also home to a significant Islamic minority. Whilst rejecting the Clash of Civilizations theory the author clearly demonstrates the growing conflict and incompatibility between Islamist movements and European democracy. A practicing Muslim himself, Bassam Tibi, makes clear the vital importance of developing a Euro Islam that will peacefully accommodate religious beliefs within an inclusive democratic European culture.

Bassam Tibi has been Professor of International Relations at the University of Goettingen since 1973 and is a non-resident A.D. White Professor-at-Large at Cornell University, USA. Professor Tibi has taught and lectured at thirty universities in five continents including tenures at Harvard, Princeton, UC Berkeley, IRIC/Yaounde, Cameroon, Khartoum/Sudan, St.Gallen/Switzerland, The Islamic University of Jakarta/Indonesia and at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna. His work has been translated into 16 languages. Among his six books in English are in new editions: The challenge of Fundamentalism (2002) and Islam between Culture and Politics (2005). The president of Germany Roman Hetzog decorated him in 1995 with the highest Medal/State Decoration for his "bridging between Islam and the West".