Introduction to Political Theory

Chapter 17 Fundamentalism

Introduction

Politicians and the media speak more and more about the threat of

‘fundamentalism’ and how fundamentalism stands at odds with liberalism and

democracy. But what is fundamentalism? How and why does it arise? Is it

solely an Islamic phenomenon, or can other religions also have their

fundamentalist proponents as well? We will argue that all ideologies can be

expressed in a fundamentalist fashion. What is the relationship between

fundamentalism and the contemporary world?

Chapter map

In this chapter we will explore:

• Fundamentalism as a relatively new
  concept and more than a label.


• Fundamentalism as an ideology that
  can be either secular or religious.


• Fundamentalism and ‘fundamentals’.
  The contradictory relationship to
  modernity.


• The rejection of democracy and the
  propensity to violence.
  
  
  • The relationship between Islam and
    fundamentalism.
  
  
  • The link between fundamentalism and
    the Christian right in the USA.
  
  
  • Fundamentalism in Israel.
  
  
  • Huntington’s ‘clash of civilisations’ and
    fundamentalism.