Post-Islamist Political Theory

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This book explores post-Islamism through a philosophical lens, utilizing John Rawls' political liberalism as its interpretive framework. It stands out from typical Iranian studies by focusing on the normative projects of Iranian intellectuals, as understood by analytical philosophers. Each chapter critiques the strengths and weaknesses of various thinkers' arguments rather than tracing their historical or sociological contexts. The work presents conjectural arguments for a potential overlapping consensus between Islam and political liberalism, drawing from diverse Islamic, particularly Shia, sources. For instance, Shabestari and Soroush approach the subject from a modernist theological perspective, while M. H. Tabatabai and Mehdi Haeri Yazdi rely on traditional Islamic philosophy and Quranic interpretation. Kadivar, An-Naim, and Fanaei exemplify post-Islamist thought, whereas Malekian advances a theory of spirituality that aligns religion with enlightenment principles. The book also engages with Ferrara and March’s interpretations of political liberalism. While the chapters collectively form a cohesive narrative, they can be read independently, allowing readers to focus on specific intellectuals and their political theories.