Re-Constructing the Zeal of Hamas; 'Armchair Philosophy' for Approaching Sainthood
(2009) SIMT29 20091Master of Science in Development Studies
Graduate School
Department of Political Science
- Abstract
- The paper researches the viable options for Hamas as a case study in the development of a peace paradigm through answering the question of ‘What should Hamas do, while under siege, to act responsibly in favor of the interests of its constituency?’ By comparing the logics of social constructivist and realist theories as methods of analysis in addressing the formulation, operationalization and social utility generated from ideologies, and specifically, Islamism, and the various forms it has taken shape in a post-9/11-postmodern world. While addressing the historical aspect and sources of ideological power that constitute our social reality through meanings, morals and rituals, derivations are made from the harsh conditions of an environment... (More)
- The paper researches the viable options for Hamas as a case study in the development of a peace paradigm through answering the question of ‘What should Hamas do, while under siege, to act responsibly in favor of the interests of its constituency?’ By comparing the logics of social constructivist and realist theories as methods of analysis in addressing the formulation, operationalization and social utility generated from ideologies, and specifically, Islamism, and the various forms it has taken shape in a post-9/11-postmodern world. While addressing the historical aspect and sources of ideological power that constitute our social reality through meanings, morals and rituals, derivations are made from the harsh conditions of an environment confined to conflict that transpired into Hamas’ structural foundation. Furthermore, social constructivist theory is tested in the envisioning of imperative re-imaginings of society to consequently improve relations of Hamas with their political rivals, Fatah and Israel and most importantly the people of Gaza, by adhering to a moral 'ought' rather than the reactionary events manifest in the 'is' making social reality a construct for a ‘transcendental is’. The paper also proposes that ‘real’ peace stems from the cultural interpretation of human social imagination/consciousness of rival groupings in protracted conflicts, and as such advocates for communicative engagement (equality) rather than strategic engagement (carrot/stick thematic) and power dynamics (zero-sum games), to achieve reconciliation between rivaling populations based on just and shared norms within social, political and cultural interpretations instead of the dominant views of the culture of political realism and notions of compromise and the state. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/1398275
- author
- Wahby, Muhab LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- SIMT29 20091
- year
- 2009
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- International Relations., Political Islam, Islamism, Peace and Conflict Studies, Realism, Terrorism, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Social Constructivism, Hamas
- language
- English
- id
- 1398275
- date added to LUP
- 2009-07-02 09:27:21
- date last changed
- 2014-05-27 11:58:45
@misc{1398275,
abstract = {{The paper researches the viable options for Hamas as a case study in the development of a peace paradigm through answering the question of ‘What should Hamas do, while under siege, to act responsibly in favor of the interests of its constituency?’ By comparing the logics of social constructivist and realist theories as methods of analysis in addressing the formulation, operationalization and social utility generated from ideologies, and specifically, Islamism, and the various forms it has taken shape in a post-9/11-postmodern world. While addressing the historical aspect and sources of ideological power that constitute our social reality through meanings, morals and rituals, derivations are made from the harsh conditions of an environment confined to conflict that transpired into Hamas’ structural foundation. Furthermore, social constructivist theory is tested in the envisioning of imperative re-imaginings of society to consequently improve relations of Hamas with their political rivals, Fatah and Israel and most importantly the people of Gaza, by adhering to a moral 'ought' rather than the reactionary events manifest in the 'is' making social reality a construct for a ‘transcendental is’. The paper also proposes that ‘real’ peace stems from the cultural interpretation of human social imagination/consciousness of rival groupings in protracted conflicts, and as such advocates for communicative engagement (equality) rather than strategic engagement (carrot/stick thematic) and power dynamics (zero-sum games), to achieve reconciliation between rivaling populations based on just and shared norms within social, political and cultural interpretations instead of the dominant views of the culture of political realism and notions of compromise and the state.}},
author = {{Wahby, Muhab}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Re-Constructing the Zeal of Hamas; 'Armchair Philosophy' for Approaching Sainthood}},
year = {{2009}},
}