Political Islam: A 40 Year Retrospective

The year 2020 roughly corresponds with the 40th anniversary of rise political Islam on world stage. This topic has generated controversy about its impact Muslims societies and international affairs more broadly, including how governments should respond to this socio-political phenomenon. article modest aims. It seeks reflect broad theme four decades after it first captured global headlines by critically examining two separate but interrelated controversies. is Islam’s acquisition state power. Specifically, have various experiments Islamism in power effected popularity, prestige, future trajectory Islam? Secondly, violence examined. In section, I interrogate claim that mainstream acts as a “gateway drug” radical extremism form Al Qaeda or ISIS. thesis gained popularity recent years, yet validity open question be subjected further scrutiny analysis. examine these questions article.