Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preface Acknowledgments Transliteration 1. The Political Determinants of Religion Historic Moments Nationalism in the Middle East Modernization Theory Identity Ideology Institutions Political Culture Religion as a Dependent Variable Conclusion 2. The Taming of Islam in Egypt Identity Ideology Institutions Political Culture Conclusion Chronology 3. The Transformation of Judaism in Israel Identity Ideology Institutions Political Culture Conclusion Chronology 4. The Politics of Religion in "Secularist" Turkey Identity Ideology Institutions Political Culture Outcomes Conclusion Chronology 5. State Shiism in Iran Identity Ideology Institutions Political Culture Conclusion Chronology 6. State Sunnism in Saudi Arabia Identity Ideology Institutions Political Culture Conclusion Chronology 7. Reconciling Religion and Politics Balance Identity Ideology Institutions Political Culture Conclusion Notes Glossary Bibliography Index

This innovative book analyzes the relationship between religion and politics in the Middle East through a comparative study of five countries---Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Robert D. Lee examines each country in terms of four domains in which state and religion necessarily interact: national identity, ideology, institutions, and political culture. In each domain he considers contradictory hypotheses, some of them asserting that religion is a positive force for political development and others identifying it as an obstacle. Among the questions the book confronts: Is secularization a necessary prerequisite for democratic development? How is it and why is it that religion and politics are so deeply entangled in these five countries? And, why is it that all five countries differ so markedly in the way they identify themselves and use religion for political purposes? The book argues that the nature of religious organization and practice in the Middle East must be understood in the context of individual nation states. The second edition is updated throughout and includes an entirely new chapter discussing the political and religious climate in Saudi Arabia. Earlier introductory analysis has been condensed to make room for new material, and chronologies at the end of each chapter have been added to help students understand the broader context. The second edition of Religion and Politics in the Middle East is a robust addition to courses on the Middle East.