The Islamic State and the New Tribalism

Bibliographic Data

ID4087759
AuthorsJon Kaplan (0000-0001-6236-3884, University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, corresponding author), Jeffrey Kaplan (0000-0003-1011-0126), Christopher P Costa (United States Department of the Navy)
Year2015
Volume27
Issue5
Pages926-969
Publication date2015-10-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueTerrorism and Political Violence (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-6553 • E-ISSN: 1556-1836
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09546553.2015.1094306
OpenAlexW2277228869
LanguageEN
Citations received7

This article focuses on the apocalyptic zeitgeist of the Islamic State through the lens of what we call the New Tribalism. It finds that IS emerged from the Al Qaeda (AQ) milieu, but soon split with AQ as the messianic excitement surrounding Al-Baghdadi and his teachings grew. In common with previous millennial/messianic movements in all three “Peoples of the Book”—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—IS soon evolved beyond the laws of the normative faith (antinomianism). We hold that for this reason, despite its claims of faith and fealty, IS has left the Islamic Umah behind, becoming a malign sectarian group of its own whose dynamism and successes are attracting a global audience and support from Muslims in almost every country. This helps to explain such abhorrent practices as forced conversion, sexual servitude, the destruction of historic artifacts, and mass executions. We find that the American invasion of Iraq was the vital first step in a series of events, which gave birth to IS. A thorough review of IS history and political culture traces these historic moments in time

Faith · Islam · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Theology · Tribalism · History · Islamic Studies and History · Law · Philosophy · Religion and Society Interactions · Religious studies · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence

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