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Book Cover
E-book
Author Tezcür, Güneş Murat, 1979-

Title Muslim reformers in Iran and Turkey : the paradox of moderation / Güneş Murat Tezcür
Edition 1st ed
Published Austin : University of Texas Press, 2010

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Description 1 online resource (xii, 306 pages) : illustrations
Series Modern Middle East series ; no. 25
Modern Middle East series (Austin, Tex.) ; no. 25.
Contents From Islamists to Muslim reformers : a theory of political change -- Muslim reformism in comparative perspective -- Muslim reformism : engagement with secularism and liberal democracy -- The guardians and elections in Iran and Turkey -- A moment of enthusiasm in the Islamic Republic -- Elusive democratization in the secular republic -- A tale of two elections
Summary Moderation theory describes the process through which radical political actors develop commitments to electoral competition, political pluralism, human rights, and rule of law and come to prefer negotiation, reconciliation, and electoral politics over provocation, confrontation, and contentious action. Revisiting this theory through an examination of two of the most prominent moderate Islamic political forces in recent history Muslim Reformers in Iran and Turkey analyzes the gains made and methods implemented by the Reform Front in the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Justice and Development Party in Turkey
Both of these groups represent Muslim reformers who came into continual conflict with unelected adversaries who attempted to block their reformist agendas. Based on extensive field research in both locales, Muslim Reformers in Iran and Turkey argues that behavioral moderation as practiced by these groups may actually inhibit democratic progress. Political scientist Gnnes Murat Tezcnr observes that the ability to implement conciliatory tactics, organize electoral parties, and make political compromises impeded democracy when pursued by the Reform Front and the Justice and Development Party. Challenging conventional wisdom, Tezcnr's findings have broad implications for the dynamics of democratic progress
"Seen from the perspective of even a decade ago, moderate Muslim reformists seemed to be gaining ground in both Turkey and Iran, as these countries emerged from long decades of top-down imposed secularism. In sensitive and compelling prose, Tezcnr assesses the different and not entirely predictable paths that these two countries have taken and suggests the different paths that Muslim reforms can take-and the obstacles they face."--Dale F. Eickelman, Dartmouth College
"Mulsim Reformers in Iran and Turkey combines theoretical innovation with considerable new empirical material, presenting both through a comparative case study that initially seems an unlikely comparison. Tezcnr argues that Islamist groups may indeed become more moderate through political inclusion, but this may have surprising consequences for the larger project of advancing democratization. This critical intervention into the expanding debates about inclusion and moderation will be widely cited and debated by scholars and policymakers."--Jillian Schwedler, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, author of Faith in Moderation: Islamist parties in Joran and Yemen --Book Jacket
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Print version record
Subject Jabhah-ʼi Iṣlāḥāt (Iran)
AK Parti (Turkey)
SUBJECT AK Parti (Turkey) fast
Jabhah-ʼi Iṣlāḥāt (Iran) fast
Subject Islam and politics -- Iran
Islam and politics -- Turkey
Liberalism -- Iran
Liberalism -- Turkey
POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Political Process -- Political Advocacy.
HISTORY -- Middle East -- General.
Islam and politics
Liberalism
Politics and government
SUBJECT Iran -- Politics and government -- 1997- http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh98004950
Turkey -- Politics and government -- 1980- http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh89005202
Subject Iran
Turkey
Form Electronic book
LC no. 2009032295
ISBN 9780292792760
029279276X
9780292728837
0292728832