The Rise of Islamic Capitalism: Why the New Muslim Middle Class Is the Key to Defeating Extremism (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781416589693)

Leading authority on the Islamic world and influential advisor to the Obama administration Vali Nasr shows that the West's best hope of winning the battle against Islamic extremists is to foster the growth of a vibrant new Muslim middle class. This flourishing of Muslim bourgeoisie is reshaping the mind-set, politics, and even the religious values of Muslims in much the same way the Western bourgeoisie lead the capitalist and democratic revolution in Europe. Whereas extremism has grown out of the dismal economic failures of the authoritarian Islamic regimes, Nasr explains, the wealth and aspirations of this Islamic "critical middle" put them squarely at odds with extremism. They have ushered in remarkable transformations already in Dubai, Turkey, and Indonesia, and they are the key to tipping the balance in both Iran and Pakistan. As he writes "the great battle for the soul of the Muslim world will be fought not over religion but over market capitalism."

Author: Vali Nasr
ISBN-10: 1416589694
ISBN-13: 9781416589693
Publisher: Free Press
Language: English
Published: 06/08/2010
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.60lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.40w x 0.90d

Review Citation(s):
New York Times Book Review 07/25/2010 pg. 20