ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an over view of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses how militant Islamist groups in the Middle East, terrorist, guerrilla, or both, have chosen to achieve their objectives using a combination of both political violence and non-violent governance. It examines two groups, Hamas and Hezbollah, are pursuing both violence and relatively democratic means of governance. The book also examines the factors that determine why Islamist militant groups become involved in governance as political parties participating in electoral politics, how mainstream governments accept or do not accept them in terms of legitimacy, why other groups like al-Gama'a al-Islamiya renounce violence, and the ability of dual status groups to govern and simultaneously continue to use political violence to achieve their political objectives. It argues that the use of political violence is a strategic, rational choice under certain conditions, while under other conditions; non-violent political participation is more rational.
