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This paper examines the highly debated roadblocks against the development of democracy in the Islamic world. First, thematic issues are examined by means of an empirical analysis in order to determine whether Islam as a religion presents an obstruction to democracy. The degree of their relationship is tested based upon an analysis of democratic peace theory along with its relationship to Zakaria's notion of illiberal democracy and Huntington's clash of civilization theory. Then, specific factors accountable for the poor levels of democracy are highlighted within appropriate historical, economical, and socio-political contexts based on three indices. This paper illustrates the connection between these indices and various local factors contributing to various levels of democracy in different national and regional contexts in a case study. This paper concludes that the presence of majority Muslim populations in most Middle Eastern states fails to offer a reasonable and persuasive explanation as to why democracy has failed in the Islamic world. Rather, a combination of historical, socio-economic, and political factors -- not solely Islam as a religion-- explains the absence of democracy in the region. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidents of terrorism in the 1990's have led to growing debates about an emerging new form of terrorism. Although, the new terrorism is evident across the world and across a range of religious groups, including the Christian Identity Group and the Japanese Aum Shinrikyo, my analysis will primarily focus on Islamic fundamentalism. In this paper, the argument is that there is a new form of terrorism, one that is more religious in nature. Terrorism has a long history and it has evolved over time to shape the new terrorism. First, I will look at the definition of terrorism as reported by government agencies and the general understanding of this phenomenon. Next, I will discuss what constitutes the old terrorism was and its leftist, fascist, revolutionary and anti-colonialist and Communist nature. Then, I will describe what the new terrorism is and how it is more religious in nature. This will lead to the examination of the history of Islam, followed by the political and social developments in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran and Europe that have contributed to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. Next, I will examine the new form of funding for terrorism. Subsequently, I will consider the effects of globalization, democratization and Westernization on the new terrorism. I will then consider the global war on terrorism in the greater context of the Middle East. Finally, I will look at al-Qaeda and the global jihadist movement. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]