The Rule is for None but Allah: Islamist Approaches to Governance

The last four decades have been shaped by the rise of Islamist politics across significant swathes of the globe. Whether by gun or by ballot box, various Islamist movements--from as far and wide as the Malian desert and Indonesia’s archipelagos--have sought to obtain power and govern territories, in a bid to revive an Islamic ancien régime. With the regional privations produced by the ‘War on Terror’ and the political unrest following 2011’s Arab uprisings, the global march of Islamism has only accelerated in the twenty-first century. Building on an established literature on rebel governance, 'The Rule is for None but Allah' examines fifteen cases from around the world to consider the different ways Islamists have approached and implemented governance; the challenges they have faced; and how they have responded to obstacles. It brings new detail and insights on a wide range of themes, including legitimacy, constitutionality and social-welfare activism. From the rise and fall of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, to Islamic State’s attempts to create its own currency, to the dramatic return of the Taliban in Afghanistan, this edited volume from two leading scholars of contemporary terrorism assembles an enviable array of international experts to explore these pressing issues.

About the Author :
Joana Cook is Associate Professor of Terrorism and Political Violence at Leiden University, and Senior Project Manager at the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism.  Shiraz Maher is Director of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Senior Lecturer in the Department of War Studies, King’s College London. 

Review :
'"The Rule is for None but Allah" focusses on one of the most relevant issues in terrorism and Middle Eastern studies: governance. The contributors are a refreshingly interesting and heterogenous mix. I cannot think of another book that covers so much ground.' 'One of the most comprehensive and informative studies of Islamist governance to date, with fifteen rich case studies from around the world. The diverse authors persuasively demonstrate the importance of social welfare and justice for the legitimacy of state and non-state actors.' 'Containing numerous compelling and fascinating case studies, this is an important contribution to the study of Islamist governance. Engaging, ambitious and well written.' 'A fresh take on Islamist perspectives, this volume brings together case studies ranging from the Taliban to the Muslim Brotherhood. By looking at how groups emerge and pursue constitutional means, it provides innovative knowledge on Islamists' evolving strategic aims.'