Modernity, Islam and Fundamentalisms

Abstract

Traditions of social and political theory that have been framed through the terms of an Enlightenment vision of modernity often have difficulties in recognizing the significance of resurgent religious movements. We have seen a return to literal and fundamentalist movements within different religious traditions in both the West and the East. In each of the Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, we have witnessed a fundamentalist turn that has been able to attract people across generations. We have also seen the appeal that religious traditions can have in the West as a response to the uncertainties of migrant experiences, especially for second-generation migrants.