Institutional Inertia: Political Legitimacy in Muslim Iberia
نویسنده
چکیده
The ultimate success of the reconquista (the reconquering of Muslim lands in the Iberian Peninsula from 718-1492) and the ensuing consolidation of Spain beneath the joint rule of Ferdinand and Isabel helped define the course of western civilization. This paper uses the unique institutional organization of Muslim rulers in Iberia to explain the fall of Muslim power in the Peninsula. Through vast retinues of Slav and Jewish viziers and outlandish claims to the caliphate, rulers in Muslim Iberia sought to find stability and security. By following the development of Iberian Muslim institutions, the paper concludes that the Hispano-Muslim definition of political legitimacy is just as important as Christian military prowess in explaining the ultimate demise of Muslim Iberia. 1 The Author wishes to thank helpful comments by Paul David and Avner Greif. Any deficiencies that remain are my own.
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