In a novel approach to the field of Islamic politics, this provocative new study compares the evolution of Islamic populism in Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, to the Middle East. Utilising approaches from historical sociology and political economy, Vedi R. Hadiz argues that competing strands of Islamic politics can be understood as the product of contemporary struggles over power, material resources and the result of conflict across a variety of social and historical contexts. Drawing from detailed case studies across the Middle East and Southeast Asia, the book engages with broader theoretical questions about political change in the context of socio-economic transformations and presents an innovative, comparative framework to shed new light on the diverse trajectories of Islamic politics in the modern world.

'This book is path-breaking in terms of original conceptualization, sustained comparative analysis, and rich historical and sociological contextualization. Grounded in the best traditions of comparative historical sociology, in a deep understanding of global context, and in a solid and sophisticated understanding of Egypt, Indonesia, and Turkey, this book stands as a major contribution to the literature on Islam and politics. It sheds much new light on questions which have remained unanswered or obscured by the narrowness of mainstream social-science methods, analytical frameworks, and political preoccupations.'

John Sidel - London School of Economics and Political Science

'Vedi R. Hadiz has long been known as one of the most gifted and courageous analysts of his generation on politics and economics in Indonesia. In his new book, Hadiz turns his attention to the divergent trajectory of Muslim politics in Indonesia relative to the post-Arab spring Middle East. The result is a remarkably original study of Muslim politics and populism. Hadiz grounds the dynamics of Islamic populism in distinctly modern constellations of power and wealth, while also keeping a clear eye on the evolution of Islamic doctrines and ideologies in modern times. This fine work challenges many common culturalist assumptions about modern Muslims. It should be required reading for students of Muslim politics in the Middle East as well as in Indonesia.'

Robert Hefner - Boston University

'… this is a bold book with a sometimes startlingly broad scope and a highly original approach … It deserves careful reading by scholars who want to understand Islamic politics in Indonesia, especially by understanding its place in the wider Islamic world. The comparison of Islamic and secular populists, in particular, is a fruitful line of analysis that opens up many new opportunities for comparison …'

Edward Aspinall Source: Journal of Contemporary Asia

'Vedi Hadiz’s Islamic Populism in Indonesia and the Middle East manages to challenge the mainstream approach and offers a refreshing way of studying the trajectory of political Islam in Indonesia, Egypt and Turkey in relation to capitalist development. … A critical materialist approach in studying political Islam has been long overdue and Islamic Populism provides a good exemplar for future works in this vein.'

Iqra Anugrah Source: The Jakarta Post

'This comparative study essentially helps to deepen the knowledge of a complex narrative of the new Islamic populism that goes beyond liberal democratic triumphalism and security studies.'

Erna Anjarwati Source: Análise Social