Juan Cole's Engaging the Muslim World was reviewed in the May 10, 2009 New York Times book review section. From the review it seems that his main point is that those (by which we might infer the Bush 2 Administration) who lump all Muslim organizations together as a united force err on two counts:
1) it confers on them collectively a power (driven by our fears) they do not have and which we should not ascribe to them; and
2) it ignores the substantial differences (and enmities) between them.
Obviously these have major implications for US foreign policy.
On a related note, I am reading Reading Lolita in Tehran right now. It's horrifying and I do not enjoy it although I do appreciate it. But understanding what is going on culturally or ideologically in the Middle East is crucial to the understanding I hope to help my students to build of this region.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.