This book demonstrates the vitality of Arab political thought and its major controversies. It shows that the key players involved, far from being constrained by a theological-political straitjacket, have often demonstrated strong critical thinking when tackling religion and philosophy, anthropology and politics. Setting these thinkers and their works within two centuries of upheaval in the Arab world, Georges Corm demonstrates how Arab critical thought has been marginalised by powerful external forces: the military, the academy and the media. In its place has risen a hegemonic Islamist thought, used cannily by certain Arab regimes and their Western protectors. Closely tracing the successive transformations of modernist Arab nationalism, Arab Political Thought offers a blueprint for understanding the libertarian Arab Spring, as well as the counter-revolutions and external interventions that have followed. This invaluable guide comprehensively distills the complexity of Arab intellectualism. Any return to peace in the region will rely heavily upon recognition of the powerful dynamics underlying this school of thought, which is both critical and profane, and a far cry from the outdated politico-religious image it has acquired.

About the Author
Georges Corm is Professor at the Institute of Political Sciences at Saint-Joseph University in Beirut, Lebanon. He was formerly a public-sector economist and an international economic consultant. Between 1998 and 2000 he was Lebanese Minister of Finance. He has published extensively on the contemporary history of the Middle East and relations between the Arab world and the West.

Reviews

'Draws a comprehensive and detailed framework of Arab political thought... [Arab Political Thought] will help students of International Relations escape the 'Orientalist' trap that creates a stereotype regarding the shared wisdom of the Middle East.'

Book Information
ISBN 9781849048163
Author Georges Corm
Format Hardback
Page Count 288
Imprint C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd
Publisher C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd