Islamist Movements

Wickham identifies two mainstream explanations for the rise of Islamic social movements. They are both grievance-based. The first is the “cultural identity” viewpoint. This perspective sees the rise of Islamic activism as a force that grew in direct opposition to the domination of MENA states by the West. This logic sees Islamic social movements as a collective protest and shaking off of decades, if not centuries, of Western cultural domination. Muslims then proceed to reclaim their true identity and values in their Islamic heritage. The second viewpoint is one of “political economy.” This perspective argues that secular authoritarian regimes failed to provide economic growth, social equity, and political rights for their citizens. This has resulted in high unemployment levels and housing shortages. This particularly affects ambitious, educated, lower-middle-class youth who are left wth few options for the future. Youth then express these grievances through political Islam. This is the typical viewpoint, which is often perpetuated in Western media.

Wickham regards these two perspectives as valid but incomplete. In addition to these motivating factors, it is necessary to have a catalyzing force. Movement leaders can use pre-existing grievances, but must add motivations, resources, and opportunities to create social action. In the Middle East, elites used political Islam for just this purpose. There are also important environment factors to take into consideration. While authoritarian regimes suppress opposition, Islam had an existing network and the infrastructure that could be used to gain political control. Through this argument, Wickham takes the cultural identity and political economy movements to another level. It explains how movement leaders had the reach to mobilize such a large group as well as the rhetoric that the youth could rally behind.

One of the main concerns for youth is the future – jobs, households, and families. In many MENA countries, the youth bulge resulted in a large, young population that did not have these opportunities. Many were educated but unable to find work without wasta, a connection. Many Islamists groups began by providing services to the people that met needs like these that the state overlooked. This is an important explanation, which gives insight into how the Islamist groups so quickly rose to power. Also, the dispersed, local network of Islamic institutions allowed their message to reach across the cities, with a lower risk of identification and suppression by authoritarian governments.