Islam Instrumentalized: Religion and Politics in Historical Perspective (Cambridge Studies in Economics, Choice, and Society)
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.15 (586 Votes) |
| Asin | : | B072ZXNQK3 |
| Format Type | : | |
| Number of Pages | : | 251 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2017-01-23 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
He has devoted his research career to studying the role of institutions in economic development and the processes of institutional change. He is the co-author of Culture, Institutions, and Development: New Insights into an Old Debate (with Robert Peccoud, 2010), and has contributed to volume two of th
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 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.. He also questions the view that fusion between religion and politics is characteristic of Islam and predisposes it to theocracy
The result is an incisive and encompassing overview, one that both synthesizes and innovates. Advance praise: 'An in-depth exploration of the complex relationship between religion and politics, or actually between clerics and rulers, this book succeeds in identifying the fundamental development obstacles faced today by Muslim countries. The author does so quite remarkably by weaving together his mastery of development theory and political economy with an impressive historical erudition and a deep knowledge of politics and economics in the contemporary Muslim world. It will re-orient the study of religion and development.' James Robinson, University