ABSTRACT
Political Islam, also commonly known as Islamism, seeks to establish Islam as the governing principle of the state. It emerged in the second half of the twentieth century as an alternative to the political, social and economic perils of the region. Through both moderate and extreme interpretations, political Islam has since served as a blueprint for change within national, regional and international structure. This chapter explores the origins of political Islam and its evolution into the twenty-first century. It illustrates the fluidity of Islamist ideas and strategies, and highlights the diverse trajectories of Islamist actors and groups around the globe.
