The Totalitarianism of Jihadist Islamism and its Challenge to Europe and to Islam

摘要: This article highlights aspects of Islamism ignored in much conventional political science by applying to it a composite conceptual framework made up Hannah Arendt's concept totalitarianism as an ideology, movement and system rule; religion conceptualised both cultural ideology; the growing 'cultur- ation' 'religionisation' politics; politicisation Islam. When applied this approach fact that its use terrorism is one aspect broader reaction threat Islam society's radical secularisation under impact universalisation western values. At core lies imagined umma community - postulated alternative model civilisation offered 'the West' claims global hegemony for The analysis stresses not be equated with Islam, or treated monolith, but rather religiously culturally diversified phenomenon whose common denominator adherence din-wa-daula, i.e. unity Islamic religious principles legitimation totalitarian government. As transnational force waging irregular war fuelled fundamentalist interpretation religion, resistant attack military security measures. In contemporary distinguished from finds two features united: combined religion. It unfortunate only few people understand well. Why? preoccupation 'terrorism' 1 has been prevalent since 9/11. One observes mushrooming unbalanced literature, authors mostly turn blind eye roots phenomenon. Some ignore need investigate historical factors breed violence, whereas those who do acknowledge root causes often little more than confirm stereotype world poverty globalisation are underlying terrorism. Further, many these leave us dark about social ideological dynamics. intelligent pieces published press was commentary International Herald Tribune, after death Jordanian jihadist leader Musab al-Zarqawi, which acknowledged: 'The most important lesson his reign terror mirror held our misunderstandings threat'. 2 went on note, least understood issue jihadists comprise movement, just cluster terrorist organisations'.