Political Islam, Justice and Governance

This book argues that political Islam (represented by its moderate and militant forms) has failed to govern effectively or successfully due to its inability to reconcile its discursive understanding of Islam, centered on literal justice, with the dominant neo-liberal value of freedom. Consequently, Islamists' polities have largely been abject, often tragic failures in providing a viable collective life and sound governance. This argument is developed theoretically and supported through a set of case studies represented by the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt (under President Muhammad Morsi’s tenure), Hassan Turabi's National Islamic Front in Sudan and The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). It is ideal for audiences interested in Regional Politics, Islamic Studies and Middle Eastern Studies.

• Political Islam
• Somalia
• Yemen
• North Africa
• Islamic State
• Political Economy
• Middle East

“Dr. Mbaye Bashir Lo’s alertness to the centrality of literal justice in the Islamist practices is of great importance and, commendably, worthy of admiration. It reminds the reader, any reader, that centralizing justice does not necessarily mean ignoring other contributing factors to human freedom.” (Said Khaled El Hassan, Professor of Political Theory, Endowed Chair in Islamic Civilization and Human Coexistence at Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco)

“Without falling into the traps of simplistic essentialism, Mbaye Lo eloquently shows how different articulations of chief values in Western and Islamic traditions have important consequences when it comes to issues of governance in contemporary Islamist polities.” (Massimo Ramaioli, Assistant Professor, Social Development and Policy Program, Habib University, Karachi, Pakistan)

“Mbaye Lo advances a bold thesis, at once well articulated and substantively documented. It crosses disciplines without violating academic integrity or muddling research methodology. It represents a central issue—justice vs. liberty—that will remain central to global politics, in the Arab world and beyond.” (Bruce B. Lawrence, Professor of Islamic Studies Emeritus, Duke University, USA)

• Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, International Comparative Studies and Duke Islamic Studies Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

  Mbaye Lo

Policies and ethics