Conceptualizing Islamic movements: The case of Turkey

Abstract

The September 11 atrocities brought Islamic movements to the attention of the world media. The events of this day also became a significant focus of academic analysis. However, media reports and most academic discussions have confused the reason for the existence of Islamic movements with the results of their extreme actions. Sociological analyses suggest that these movements have arisen as a response to diverse socioeconomic and political conditions aggravated by rapid urbanization and globalization. Characterizing Islamic movements as grounded in a religious-based antipathy to the Western world does not tell the full story. In this article, the Turkish Islamic movement will be used as a case study in order to shed light on the way in which Islamic movements emerge and develop. © 2009 International Political Science Association Sage Publications.