The Sufi Muslim orders are the most significant institutions in Senegalese society. While Islamic political groups are often accused of destabilizing African states, Leonardo Villalón argues that these brotherhoods have played a crucial part in making Senegal one of the most stable and democratic of African countries. Focusing on a regional administrative center, he combines a detailed account of grassroots politics with an analysis of national and international political forces. This is a major study that should be read by every student of Islam and African politics.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"...deserves a wide readership among Africanists, political scientists, and students of Islam." Choice
"...Leonardo Villalón makes an excellent contribution to what has become, in recent years, the dominant issue in African political studies--the relationship between state and society....an important and well-researched book. Islamic Society and State Power in Senegal is a must for all scholars interested in Senegal and African politics." Comparative Politics
"...[an] exemplary study....[a] beautifully researched study, rich in oral as well as documentary material." African Affairs
"The theoretically dense discussion of this issue, and the rich analysis of Islam in Senegal makes this book a significant example of the sort of case study useful for introducing students to Islam." Religious Studies Review
"...[an] intricate and intriguing study....This monograph deserves a wide readership among Africanists, political scientists, and students of Islam." Social & Behavioral Sciences
"...an important contribution to the study of the relationship of religion to politics in Senegal and more generally in the Third World." Robert Launay, American Journal of Sociology
"Through skillful use of sources and his own adroit analysis, Villalon develops his thesis convincingly....The work is useful for political scientists....Recommended for graduate students and specialists." Stephen Haarmon, Mesa Bulletin
"The author persuasively argues that Sufi brotherhoods, especially the Murid sect, have comprised the critical element in the Senegalese state's stability, exceptional in West Africa....Villalón's major work, should appeal to all Africanists interested in the social sciences." African Studies Review
"...both case study and broad statement on African politics...provides some excellent synthesis and insight into the situations of the major Senegalese brotherhoods...Villalon has given us a richly textured, well-recounted description and analysis...Islamic Society will stand for some time to come as a model of research, as case study and broadly relevant statement, and as a thorough exploration of state-society relations. It would constitute a useful study for classes in African politics." International Journal of Middle East Studies
"This book is an excellent addition to the corpus of work on Sengalese Islam in particular, as well as to our knowledge of state-society relations in Africa." Roy Dilley, Journal of Religion in Africa
"...Leonardo Villalón makes an excellent contribution to what has become, in recent years, the dominant issue in African political studies--the relationship between state and society....an important and well-researched book. Islamic Society and State Power in Senegal is a must for all scholars interested in Senegal and African politics." Comparative Politics
"...[an] exemplary study....[a] beautifully researched study, rich in oral as well as documentary material." African Affairs
"The theoretically dense discussion of this issue, and the rich analysis of Islam in Senegal makes this book a significant example of the sort of case study useful for introducing students to Islam." Religious Studies Review
"...[an] intricate and intriguing study....This monograph deserves a wide readership among Africanists, political scientists, and students of Islam." Social & Behavioral Sciences
"...an important contribution to the study of the relationship of religion to politics in Senegal and more generally in the Third World." Robert Launay, American Journal of Sociology
"Through skillful use of sources and his own adroit analysis, Villalon develops his thesis convincingly....The work is useful for political scientists....Recommended for graduate students and specialists." Stephen Haarmon, Mesa Bulletin
"The author persuasively argues that Sufi brotherhoods, especially the Murid sect, have comprised the critical element in the Senegalese state's stability, exceptional in West Africa....Villalón's major work, should appeal to all Africanists interested in the social sciences." African Studies Review
"...both case study and broad statement on African politics...provides some excellent synthesis and insight into the situations of the major Senegalese brotherhoods...Villalon has given us a richly textured, well-recounted description and analysis...Islamic Society will stand for some time to come as a model of research, as case study and broadly relevant statement, and as a thorough exploration of state-society relations. It would constitute a useful study for classes in African politics." International Journal of Middle East Studies
"This book is an excellent addition to the corpus of work on Sengalese Islam in particular, as well as to our knowledge of state-society relations in Africa." Roy Dilley, Journal of Religion in Africa
Book Description
The Sufi Muslim orders are the most significant institutions in Senegales society. While Islamic political groups are often accused of destabilising African states, Leonardo Villalon argues that these brotherhoods have played a crucial part in making Senegal one of the most stable and democratic of African countries. Focusing on a regional administrative centre, he combines a detailed account of grassroots politics with an analysis of national and international political forces. This is a major study, that should be read by every student of Islam and African politics.
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Senegal's Elements For Stable State Government: Islam and Sufism,
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This review is from: Islamic Society and State Power in Senegal: Disciples and Citizens in Fatick (African Studies) (Paperback)
The West African nation of Senegal has a state government that is perhaps the most stable in Africa. The mystery of this phenomenon is expertly unravelled by Mr. Leonardo A. Villalon who has lived in Senegal. His book "Islamic Society And State Power In Senegal" is a breakdown of a prescription that works beautifully in that West African nation. The communal structure and leadership strata of the mystical side of Islam called Sufism is revealed with balance, and transparent relevance as to the reasons within an African context that it has provided a massive influence on state government and peace throughout most of Senegal. From a mystical stand point and within an Islamic context, Senegal's ambiance is comparable to Tibet prior to the Chinese invasion,for Senegal is a veritable oasis of spiritual prosperity. The power of prayer and allegiance to ALLAH, Prophet Muhammad and The Grand Marabouts (who are the leaders of Sufism in Senegal) has convinced the majority of the populace (which is well over ninety percent Muslim) that earthly and heavenly rewards are the result of their piety. The current President of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade, as well as other of the nation's politicians are practitioners of Sufism. Africa's past colonizers (particularly France)to this day scorn the power of Sufism and the marabouts to nullify their ambitions for Senegal. Mr. Villalon brings a contradictory picture of African government that is often portrayed as being so bad off across the continent that it is in a condition worse than chaos. "Islamic Society And State Power In Senegal" is a powerful rendering of the harmony and stability that exists on the continent of Africa via the practice of tolerance amongst state government and religion. Mr. Leonardo A. Villalon in his eloquence and direct experience has catapulted a secret about a portion of Africa into the light of global examination and hope for human progress. Mr. Villalon deserves to be jubilantly commended for elevating above the ignorance of many about the allegedly "dark continent," and thus revealing some of the abundant light in Africa. Sincerely, Shadeed R. Ahmad (3-28-10)
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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First Sentence:
Stated most boldly, the central argument of this book is that religion has been at the source of Senegal's political exceptionalism because, in the Sufi version of Islam which has developed in the country, religious structures and ideology have facilitated and encouraged a system of social organization outside the state and a range of possible responses to the actions of that state which have served as an effective counterbalance to its weight. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
most important marabouts, maraboutic authority, maraboutic movement, major marabouts, maraboutic model, maraboutic families, maraboutic lineages, administrative solidarity, local marabouts, other marabouts, maraboutic family, populist underpinnings, associations islamiques, elite closure, local disciples, peanut basin, photocopied text, empirical statehood, peanut cultivation, religious chanting, politique africaine, municipal administrator Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Abdou Diouf, Amadou Bamba, Moustapha Sy, Cruise O'Brien, Ababacar Sy, West Africa, Baye Fall, Senegalese Islam, Abdoul Aziz Sy Junior, Ibrahima Niasse, Abdoulaye Niasse, Dahiratoul Moustarchidina, Farba Diouf, Serer of Ndiaye-Ndiaye, Wal Fadjri, Abdou Lahatte, Abdoulaye Wade, Baye Niasse, Parti Socialiste, Saint Louis, Senegalese Muslims, Third World, Code de la Famille, Futa Toro, Mamadou Dia New!
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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Stated most boldly, the central argument of this book is that religion has been at the source of Senegal's political exceptionalism because, in the Sufi version of Islam which has developed in the country, religious structures and ideology have facilitated and encouraged a system of social organization outside the state and a range of possible responses to the actions of that state which have served as an effective counterbalance to its weight. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
most important marabouts, maraboutic authority, maraboutic movement, major marabouts, maraboutic model, maraboutic families, maraboutic lineages, administrative solidarity, local marabouts, other marabouts, maraboutic family, populist underpinnings, associations islamiques, elite closure, local disciples, peanut basin, photocopied text, empirical statehood, peanut cultivation, religious chanting, politique africaine, municipal administrator Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Abdou Diouf, Amadou Bamba, Moustapha Sy, Cruise O'Brien, Ababacar Sy, West Africa, Baye Fall, Senegalese Islam, Abdoul Aziz Sy Junior, Ibrahima Niasse, Abdoulaye Niasse, Dahiratoul Moustarchidina, Farba Diouf, Serer of Ndiaye-Ndiaye, Wal Fadjri, Abdou Lahatte, Abdoulaye Wade, Baye Niasse, Parti Socialiste, Saint Louis, Senegalese Muslims, Third World, Code de la Famille, Futa Toro, Mamadou Dia New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 90
books:
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15
books
cite this book:
See all 15 books citing this book
- Studies in West African Islamic History: Volume 1: The Cultivators of Islam, Volume 2: The Evolution of Islamic Institutions & Volume 3: The Growth of Arabic Literature (v. 1) by John Ralph Willis on 9 pages
- The Precarious Balance: State And Society In Africa by Donald Rothchild on 8 pages
- Islam in the Political Process by James P. Piscatori on 7 pages
- Political Domination in Africa (African Studies) by Patrick Chabal on 7 pages
- Charisma and Brotherhood in African Islam (Oxford Studies in African Affairs) by Donal B. Cruise O'Brien on 6 pages
See all 90 books this book cites
- Re-Imagining Rwanda: Conflict, Survival and Disinformation in the Late Twentieth Century (African Studies) by Johan Pottier in Back Matter
- Insecurity and Welfare Regimes in Asia, Africa and Latin America: Social Policy in Development Contexts by Ian Gough in Back Matter
- Honour in African History (African Studies) by John Iliffe in Front Matter
- Nation, State and the Economy in History by Alice Teichova on page 267
- Transforming Mozambique: The Politics of Privatization, 1975-2000 (African Studies) by M. Anne Pitcher in Back Matter
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