"Islamism has emerged as one of the most significant political ideologies of the twenty-first century. From the Islamic Revolution in Iran to the grinding struggle of Hezbollah in Lecbanon and the devastating 9/11 attacks by al-Qaïda, Islam has become both a critical discourse and a framework for active resistance, which levels a potent challenge against the ideals of modern secularism and the structures of Western hegemony. This book offers a rigorous and balanced analysis of how and why Islamism has arisen to the fore as the dominant voice of Islamic discourse and what accounts for the often vastly different political agendas, tactical choices, and strategic objectives of individual Islamist groups. It shows how a common Islamist language of resistance and defiance acquires distinctive meanings and implications in different local contexts, as well as how these local struggles connect to each other. Drawing on important insights from social psychology, critical studies, and post-colonial studies, the book pinpoints the underlying dynamic that drives Islamist struggles in the world today, and shows how diverse experiences of repression and humiliation--real or perceived--are translated into an equally diverse collection of struggles aimed at promoting an alternative social order of independence and dignity framed by Islam"--Publisher's description, back cover.