Some blame the violence and unrest in the Muslim world on Islam itself; arguing that the religion and its history is inherently bloody. Others blame the United States; arguing that American attempts to spread democracy by force have destabilized the region; and that these efforts are somehow radical or unique. Challenging these views; The Clash of Ideas in World Politics reveals how the Muslim world is in the throes of an ideological struggle that extends far beyond the Middle East; and how struggles like it have been a recurring feature of international relations since the dawn of the modern European state. John Owen examines more than two hundred cases of forcible regime promotion over the past five centuries; offering the first systematic study of this common state practice. He looks at conflicts between Catholicism and Protestantism between 1520 and the 1680s; republicanism and monarchy between 1770 and 1850; and communism; fascism; and liberal democracy from 1917 until the late 1980s. He shows how regime promotion can follow regime unrest in the eventual target state or a war involving a great power; and how this can provoke elites across states to polarize according to ideology. Owen traces how conflicts arise and ultimately fade as one ideology wins favor with more elites in more countries; and he demonstrates how the struggle between secularism and Islamism in Muslim countries today reflects broader transnational trends in world history.
#957517 in Books 2006-04-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.34 x .58 x 6.86l; .52 #File Name: 0691126046192 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Gives you the "you are here" feeling for a 700 year old eventBy JohnBoyThoroughly researched; insightful; and well written; this book delves into a 700 year old event: The miraculous resurrection of a hanged criminal at the intercession of a recently deceased cleric. For an event of that era; there is an unusual wealth of extant historic records; because the miracle was the focus of an official Church investigation to determine whether the deceased cleric was worthy of sainthood. The author sets the scene; providing just the right amount of historical context during the English conquest of Wales. He methodically fills in the backdrop of the hanging; including the central characters in the drama. The author avoids the condescending; politically correct tone that sometimes characterizes modern popular histories of the Middle Ages. He avoids cynical speculation as to the motives of those urging beatification for their hoped soon-to-be local saint. I very much appreciated his fair; evenhanded approach; as it enabled me to immerse myself in the events with all their ambiguity and complexity of faith; miracle; power; pride; and greed. It's like reading an old newspaper; giving you the "you are here" feeling. I very much enjoyed this book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great read; compelling.By Mason ShefaBartlett does a fantastic job of transporting the reader to the 13th century. I found myself invested in the characters. Fascinating arguments about conceptions of time and space. Enjoyed getting some of the macro history as an informative backdrop. Appreciated the section in the book where Bartlett follows the lives of the notaries after their involvement with Cragh.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The gallows become a window.By Y2KBOYThe book places a miracle in the middle of a swirl of other activity. Political connections; war; religion; including a canonization; are all examined with this unusual event at the center. It is an interesting snapshot of life in the middle ages; with the camera focused on a man who was hanged twice in the same day and lived to tell about it.
