The edited volume “Rethinking Islamism beyond jihadi violence” makes an important contribution to the scholarship on contemporary Islam and in particular the contested and often misunderstood issue of Islamism. Offering critical, nuanced and differentiated perspectives, the various chapters and the book as a whole examine the theological-historical origin and practices of non-violent Islamism, challenging common misconceptions that position it in (too) close proximity to jihadist violence. The various contributors explore Islamism from a range of angles, which allow a holistic analysis of historic, socio-cultural, political and religious-theological dimensions and contextualise the origin, rise and ongoing activism and popularity of key (non-violent) Islamist movements. The book takes a truly global approach, not only through its geographic coverage of Islamism in a range of countries in the Global North and Global South, but also reflected in the diversity of the contributors’ backgrounds, expertise and disciplines.

The book has the potential of promoting a more mature and nuanced academic and public debate on Islamism in various national contexts. Many issues covered in the book, such as the ‘conveyor-belt’ claims or the role of socio-psychological factors of disenchantment and deep dissatisfaction with the status quo of governance, nationally and globally, may be taken up by other scholars in the future for more in-depth explorations.

Dr Mario Peucker

Senior Research Fellow

Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities (ISILC)

Victoria University, Melbourne

[...] comprehensive, and well-timed volume on one of the most widely misunderstood and oversimplified issues in the field: the relationship between Islamism and jihadist violence. [...]

[Extract from book review appearing at the online magazine 'European Eye on Radicalization', 13 February 2023.]