The Islamic Utopia: The Illusion of Reform in Saudi Arabia - Softcover

Hammond, Andrew

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0745332692 ISBN 13: 9780745332697

Publisher: Pluto Press, 2012

Synopsis

Will Saudi Arabia join the democratic wave in the Middle East? The uprisings and revolutions of 2011 do not, yet, seem to have affected the stability of the House of Saud, which remains secretive, highly repressive and propped up by the West.

The Islamic Utopia uses a range of sources including first-hand reporting and recently released WikiLeaks documents to examine Saudi Arabia in the decade after the 9/11 attacks, when King Abdullah’s 'reform' agenda took centre stage in public debate. It considers Saudi claims of 'exemption' from the democratic demands of the Arab Spring.

Andrew Hammond argues that for too long Western media and governments have accepted Saudi leaders' claims to be a buttress against jihadist Islam and that a new policy is needed towards the House of Saud.

About this title

About the Author:

Andrew Hammond is a senior correspondent for a global news agency, currently based in Dubai. He is the author of What The Arabs Think of America (2008) and Popular Culture in the Arab World (2007), and was the agency bureau chief in Saudi Arabia for several years.

Review:

"If there is anyone who can write knowledgeably and intelligently about Saudi Arabia, it is Andrew Hammond. His deep knowledge of politics and culture in the Middle East uniquely qualifies him to undertake this project. Hammond's track record is independent and critical, and this book adds to our knowledge of a kingdom that is often shrouded with mystery and propaganda." – As'ad AbuKhalil, Department of Politics, California State University Stanislaus, author of The Battle for Saudi Arabia: Royalty, Fundamentalism, and Global Power

About this edition

• Publisher: Pluto Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0745332692
• ISBN 13: 9780745332697
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336