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Islam Instrumentalized: Religion and Politics in Historical Perspective

Jean-Philippe Platteau

4/5 ( ratings)

In this book, economist Jean-Philippe Platteau addresses the question: does Islam, the religion of Muslims, bear some responsibility for a lack of economic development in the countries in which it dominates? In his nuanced approach, Platteau challenges the widespread view that the doctrine of Islam is reactionary in the sense that it defends tradition against modernity and individual freedom. He also questions the view that fusion between religion and politics is characteristic of Islam and predisposes it to theocracy. He disagrees with the substantivist view that Islam is a major obstacle to modern development because of a merging of religion and the state, or a fusion between the spiritual and political domains. But he also identifies how Islam's decentralized organization, in the context of autocratic regimes, may cause political instability and make reforms costly.

Pages: 527

Format: Kindle Edition

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Release: June 06, 2017

Islam Instrumentalized: Religion and Politics in Historical Perspective

Jean-Philippe Platteau

4/5 ( ratings)

In this book, economist Jean-Philippe Platteau addresses the question: does Islam, the religion of Muslims, bear some responsibility for a lack of economic development in the countries in which it dominates? In his nuanced approach, Platteau challenges the widespread view that the doctrine of Islam is reactionary in the sense that it defends tradition against modernity and individual freedom. He also questions the view that fusion between religion and politics is characteristic of Islam and predisposes it to theocracy. He disagrees with the substantivist view that Islam is a major obstacle to modern development because of a merging of religion and the state, or a fusion between the spiritual and political domains. But he also identifies how Islam's decentralized organization, in the context of autocratic regimes, may cause political instability and make reforms costly.

Pages: 527

Format: Kindle Edition

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Release: June 06, 2017

More books from Jean-Philippe Platteau

Institutions, Social Norms and Economic Development (Fundamentals of Development Economics)

Is Islam a Special Problem?: Exploring the Link Between Religion, Politics, and Development

Culture, Institutions, and Development: New Insights Into an Old Debate

The Handbook of Economic Development and Institutions

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