Fundamentalism

The Search For Meaning

Malise Ruthven

Highly Topical: The first concise and clearly-written book to expose the real nature and spread of fundamentalism worldwide, both secular and religious
Charts the development of various fundamentalist movements from the 1920s in America to the rise of fundamentalist groups in the Middle-East in the early 21st Century
Investigates the many different forms of fundamentalist belief, and the political and terrorist activities that often result
Takes a critical view of the burgeoning literature on modern religious fundamentalism
Seen as the leading commentator on Islam - always writes with clarity and directness to engage the reader dispassionately with the stereotypes and polemics on the subject.
Uses a broad range of examples, from the USA, the Middle East, Ireland, South-East Asia, Africa, and Germany

Fundamentalism

The Search For Meaning

Malise Ruthven

Description

Since the end of the Cold War fundamentalism has been seen as the major threat to world peace and prosperity, a concern that was exacerbated by the events of 9/11, and the 'War against Terrorism'.

But what does 'fundamentalism' really mean? Since it was coined by American Protestant evangelicals in the 1920s, the word has expanded its meaning to include radical conservatives or ideological purists in many spheres of activity, not all of them religious. Modern applications of fundamentalism include Islamist radicals in the Muslim world, the militant Israeli settlers who oppose them as well as Sikh, Hindu and even Buddhist nationalists who seek to justify their political agendas by reference to divine edicts or religious tradition. This exciting new book tackles the polemic and stereotypes surrounding this fascinating subject.

Fundamentalism

The Search For Meaning

Malise Ruthven

Fundamentalism

The Search For Meaning

Malise Ruthven

Author Information

Malise Ruthven, Visiting Professor at the University of California, San Diego

Fundamentalism

The Search For Meaning

Malise Ruthven

Reviews and Awards

This is a gentle, civilised book, written with some style. I enjoyed reading it. - Sasthi Brata, Spectator 10/04/2004

The first clear definition of this indispensable yet misused term. - Anoush Ehteshami, University of Durham

... an important contribution to the current political and cultural debates about Islam and the West, religious extremism, and the changing identity of supposedly secular societies. - R. Scott Appleby, University of Notre Dame