The Three Rs of Militant Politics: Rhetoric, Radicalism and Realpolitik

Abstract

The Middle East is characterized by contradictory concepts. It has been perceived as wealthy and poor, technologically modern and culturally backward, religiously tolerant yet fanatically fundamentalist. Social scientists have continually explored each of these · perceptual extremes; however, general theory regarding this region has continued to be elusive. While some scholars contend that religion may have a more prominent role in the region than in other parts of the world, this should not limit political inquiry to only this variable. While not negating Islam's importance, this thesis addresses other plausible explanatory factors that, to date, have received far less scrutiny. In this study five specific aspects of political dynamics in militant opposition groups are explored. These factors are evaluated by examining four seemingly different militant political movements. These groups differ according to ideology, ethnicity and colonial history. Despite the apparent differences of these groups, a broader theoretical framework does provide for a more generalizable analysis. Ideological differences are found not to be the defining variable. Through this plausibility probe, significant support is presented for the usefulness and applicability of this cross-cultural, cross-regional unified framework.

Notes

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Thesis Completion

2003

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Jungblut, Bernadette

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree Program

Political Science

Subjects

Arts and Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic; Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Sciences; Fath (Organization); Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan; Jabhah al Islamiiyah lil Inqadh (Algeria); Middle East -- Politics and government; Partiya Karkeren Kurdistane

Format

Print

Identifier

DP0021792

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

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