The Politics of Islam in the Sahel

Between Persuasion and Violence

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, Religion & Spirituality
Cover of the book The Politics of Islam in the Sahel by Rahmane Idrissa, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Rahmane Idrissa ISBN: 9781351981965
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: June 14, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Rahmane Idrissa
ISBN: 9781351981965
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: June 14, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

‘Ideologies need enemies to thrive, religion does not’. Using the Sahel as a source of five comparative case studies, this volume aims to engage in the painstaking task of disentangling Islam from the political ideologies that have issued from its theologies to fight for governmental power and the transformation of society. While these ideologies tap into sources of religious legitimacy, the author shows that they are fundamentally secular or temporal enterprises, defined by confrontation with other political ideologies–both progressive and liberal–within the arena of nation states. Their objectives are the same as these other ideologies, i.e., to harness political power for changing national societies, and they resort to various methods of persuasion, until they break down into violence.

The two driving questions of the book are, whence come these ideologies, and why do they–sometimes–result in violence? Ideologies of Salafi radicalism are at work in the five countries of the Sahel region, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, (Northern) Nigeria and Senegal, but violence has broken out only in Mali and Northern Nigeria. Using a theoretical framework of ideological development and methods of historical analysis, Idrissa traces the emergence of Salafi radicalism in each of these countries as a spark ignited by the shock between concurrent processes of Islamization and colonization in the 1940s. However, while the spark eventually ignited a blaze in Mali and Nigeria, it has only led to milder political heat in Niger and Senegal and has had no burning effect at all in Burkina Faso. By meticulously examining the development of Salafi radicalism ideologies over time in connection with developments in national politics in each of the countries, Idrissa arrives at compelling conclusions about these divergent outcomes. Given the many similarities between the countries studied, these divergences show, in particular, that history, the behaviour of state leaders and national sociologies matter–against assumptions of ‘natural’ contradictions between religion (Islam) and secularism or democracy.

This volume offers a new perspective in discussions on ideology, which remains–as is shown here–the independent variable of many key contemporary political processes, either hidden in plain sight or disguised in a religious garb.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

‘Ideologies need enemies to thrive, religion does not’. Using the Sahel as a source of five comparative case studies, this volume aims to engage in the painstaking task of disentangling Islam from the political ideologies that have issued from its theologies to fight for governmental power and the transformation of society. While these ideologies tap into sources of religious legitimacy, the author shows that they are fundamentally secular or temporal enterprises, defined by confrontation with other political ideologies–both progressive and liberal–within the arena of nation states. Their objectives are the same as these other ideologies, i.e., to harness political power for changing national societies, and they resort to various methods of persuasion, until they break down into violence.

The two driving questions of the book are, whence come these ideologies, and why do they–sometimes–result in violence? Ideologies of Salafi radicalism are at work in the five countries of the Sahel region, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, (Northern) Nigeria and Senegal, but violence has broken out only in Mali and Northern Nigeria. Using a theoretical framework of ideological development and methods of historical analysis, Idrissa traces the emergence of Salafi radicalism in each of these countries as a spark ignited by the shock between concurrent processes of Islamization and colonization in the 1940s. However, while the spark eventually ignited a blaze in Mali and Nigeria, it has only led to milder political heat in Niger and Senegal and has had no burning effect at all in Burkina Faso. By meticulously examining the development of Salafi radicalism ideologies over time in connection with developments in national politics in each of the countries, Idrissa arrives at compelling conclusions about these divergent outcomes. Given the many similarities between the countries studied, these divergences show, in particular, that history, the behaviour of state leaders and national sociologies matter–against assumptions of ‘natural’ contradictions between religion (Islam) and secularism or democracy.

This volume offers a new perspective in discussions on ideology, which remains–as is shown here–the independent variable of many key contemporary political processes, either hidden in plain sight or disguised in a religious garb.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Political Developments in Contemporary Russia by Rahmane Idrissa
Cover of the book Labour Migration from Turkey to Western Europe, 1960-1974 by Rahmane Idrissa
Cover of the book A Dictionary of Literary Pseudonyms in the English Language by Rahmane Idrissa
Cover of the book Men's Sexual Health by Rahmane Idrissa
Cover of the book Family, Self, and Society by Rahmane Idrissa
Cover of the book A New Science of Religion by Rahmane Idrissa
Cover of the book The Constitutionalization of the European Union by Rahmane Idrissa
Cover of the book The Middle East in the World by Rahmane Idrissa
Cover of the book Supporting Mathematical Thinking by Rahmane Idrissa
Cover of the book Page to Stage by Rahmane Idrissa
Cover of the book On Søren Kierkegaard by Rahmane Idrissa
Cover of the book In the Anglo-Arab Labyrinth by Rahmane Idrissa
Cover of the book Participative Transformation by Rahmane Idrissa
Cover of the book Challenging the More Able Language User by Rahmane Idrissa
Cover of the book Hospitals and Patients by Rahmane Idrissa
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy