Books

Report

Journal Articles (Selected)

2024. "Islamism and Nationalism: How Did Old Enemies Become New Allies?" Journal for Religion, Society and Politics (ZRGP), online first, November 8.

2024. "The Authoritarian State in the Muslim World: Comparative Insights From Ibn Khaldun and Stein Rokkan," Comparative Social Research, Vol. 36.

2022. "Muslim Politics Between Sharia and Democracy," Muslim Politics Review, Vol. 1, No. 1.

2021. "Bringing Ideas and Religions Back in Political Science: Contributions of Daniel Philpott," Review of Faith & International Affairs, Vol. 19, No. 4.

2020. "Islam, Catholicism, and Religion-State Separation: An Essential or Historical Difference?" International Journal of Religion, Vol. 1, No. 1.

• Arabic translation
• Italian translation
• Spanish translation

2015. "Turkey's Failed Policy toward the Arab Spring: Three Levels of Analysis," Mediterranean Quarterly, Vol. 26, No. 3.

2014. "Authoritarianism and Democracy in Muslim Countries: Rentier States and Regional Diffusion," Political Science Quarterly, Vol. 129, No. 3.

2012. "The Rise and Fall of Military Tutelage in Turkey: Fears of Islamism, Kurdism, and Communism," Insight Turkey, Vol. 14, No. 2.

• Arabic translation
• Turkish translation

2008. "Secularism, State Policies, and Muslims in Europe: Analyzing French Exceptionalism," Comparative Politics, Vol. 41, No. 1.

• Arabic translation

2007. "Passive and Assertive Secularism: Historical Conditions, Ideological Struggles, and State Policies toward Religion," World Politics, Vol. 59, No. 4.

Chapters and Essays (Selected)

2024. "Interview with Ahmet T. Kuru on Islamic Political Thought," in Ahmad Milad Karimi, ed., Falsafa. Yearbook for Islamic Philosophy of Religion (Verlag Karl Alber).

2023. "Rethinking Secularism and State Policies toward Religion: The United  States, France, and Turkey," in Jonathan Laurence, ed., Secularism in Comparative Perspective: Religions across Political Contexts (Springer).

2022. "Religious Diversity, Secularisms, and Ideologies: Comparing Western and Muslim Countries" in Joseph Marko, et. al., eds., Religion, State, and Law: National, Transnational and International Challenges (Brill).

2013. "Constitution, Presidentialism, and Checks and Balances: Turkey and the US," Turkish Review, Vol. 3, No. 6.

2012. (with Alfred Stepan) "Laïcité as an 'Ideal Type' and a Continuum: Comparing Turkey, France, and Senegal," in Kuru and Stepan, eds. Democracy, Islam, and Secularism in Turkey.

2012. "Assertive and Passive Secularism: State Neutrality, Religious Demography, and the Muslim Minority in the United States," in Allen Hertzke, ed., The Future of Religious Freedom: Global Challenges (Oxford University Press).

"There's never been a simple answer to the vexed question of why the Arab world fell so far behind after the brilliance of its early civilizations. Professor Ahmet T. Kuru's thought-provoking Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment: A Global and Historical Comparison (CUP) tackles the issue head on. According to the usual myths, the fault lies either within Islam itself or with western colonialism, but Kuru puts forward a bold new theory, arguing that from the eleventh century onwards, the alliance of religious orthodoxy with heavily militarized states gradually stifled intellectual and economic creativity. Progressive free-thinkers and independent entrepreneurs were marginalized, leading the Arab world to undermine its own future. Thinking of Russia and the Putin-Kirill partnership, I find myself wondering if his theory might apply equally outside the Islamic world."
Diana Darke, Times Literary Supplement Books of the Year 2022

"One of the top ten books on Islam in 2021."
Indonesia's Mizan Publishing, Top Ten Books on Islam Committee

"The very title of Kuru's book, Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment suggests a project beyond the scope of any one book or even author…Kuru leaves us with an appreciation of how deep-seated the causes of underdevelopment and authoritarianism may be, but also optimism that because these problems are institutional in origin, reforms are imaginable that do not interfere with the religious sensibilities of citizens."
M. Heisler and A. Chowdhury, Book Award Announcement, APSA IHAP Section Newsletter

"This book provides a fantastic deep dive into the longue durée of Islamic history to explain why underdevelopment and authoritarianism are so prevalent in the contemporary Islamic world. Kuru offers a novel theory that focuses on how an alliance between religious (Ulama) and state officials led inexorably to economic underdevelopment and political authoritarianism in the Muslim world. The book is a powerful response to those who assert that Islam is inherently anti-intellectual and authoritarian, as well as those who contend that colonialism and neo-colonialism are solely responsible for whatever problems exist in the Muslim World. The book is very rich in historical detail and a model of what the historical-institutionalist method offers."
Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, 2021 Book Award Committee, Honorable Mention

"Kuru's book is an important corrective to Habermas' work by reminding us of 'what is missing,' both with regard to conceptual precision and with regard to the theme. Therefore, it is recommendable to read Kuru's book in parallel with Habermas' work, where Islam is conspicuously absent and where problematic aspects of certain forms of religiously motivated 'social integration' are not adequately communicated."
Gunnar Skirbekk, Religion in Modern Societies

"[Kuru's book] has taken the Muslim intellectual world by storm…What is the lesson to be drawn from Kuru's rich and fascinating book? He says, there is no other way than to have an open and democratic society, a competitive economy. This is not westernization, on the contrary, it is totally in line with the spirit of Islam…Wise words from this brilliant Muslim scholar."
Julia Suryakusuma, Jakarta Post

"…the citations are a gold mine…it might be helpful to not look at this as a book, but rather more of a proposal for a research program. And, due to Kuru's fastidious and comprehensive approach, he succeeds at both! The result…is a masterpiece and a gift to the field."
Ann Wainscott, Politics and Religion

"Kuru's book is an important and bold intervention in a vital question that has received scholarly attention for a long time…I would recommend the book to anyone interested in the transformation of the relationship between Islam, economy, and politics through centuries."
Gulay Turkmen, Peace Review

"Kuru's Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment offers a succinct yet full overview of multiple centuries of political and intellectual history. It will give scholars of historical political economy much to ponder in thinking about trade, religion, and state building in the Muslim world and beyond."
Elizabeth R. Nugent, Political Science Quarterly

"Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment is a tour de force that lays out the broader context for the failures of the contemporary Muslim world and the ways in which religion can shape political outcomes."
A.Kadir Yildirim, Perspectives on Politics

"Kuru…undertakes an ambitious and, on balance, successful analysis of the ills of the authoritarianism, economic backwardness, and religious violence that plague 49 Muslim-majority states."
John Waterbury, Foreign Affairs

"[Kuru's] central point concerning the damage caused by the entanglement of religious and political actors is a fresh and convincing perspective in a debate that has become circular and stale."
Claire Sadar, Ahval

 "Kuru's new book is a ground-breaking history and analysis of the evolution of the state in Muslim countries. Thoroughly researched and accessibly written."
James M. Dorsey, New Books Network

"Kuru does an excellent job showing that a reversal of fortunes did indeed happen, and it was not just the result of colonization…Another one of the great strengths of Kuru's tome is the documentation of the ulema-state alliance."
Jared Rubin, Economic History EH.net

"A magnum opus; it appears to be a product of painstaking inquiries, enormous bibliographical research, nuanced historical comparisons, and interdisciplinary analyses."
Serhan Tanrıverdi, Turkish Studies

"A well-researched and meticulously written book that provides significant insights."
Erdem Dikici, Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations

"[Kuru's] book is a must-read study for anyone interested in political science, history and various other social science branches…I must stress the exhaustiveness of this book's bibliography."
Ahmet Erdi Öztürk, Democratization

"[Kuru's] volume is well suited for anyone interested in the Middle East, the Islamic world, or political and development theory—Highly recommended."
Joud Alkorani, Choice

"Without doubt, Kuru's book is a must-read study and a pivotal source."
Abdelaziz El Amrani, Hespéris-Tamuda

"Kuru's [book] is well-structured; [its] citations also reveal his immense research over a diverse array of sources."
Mustafa Aslan, KULT_online

"[Kuru's] book conveys a refreshing and nuanced historical analysis."
Therese Sefton, Journal of Peace Research

"[Kuru] challenges arguments that see Islam as the cause of low levels of socioeconomic development in Muslim-majority states."
Bassem Aly, Al-Ahram Weekly

"This is a must-read book for those who are eager to learn the root-causes of stagnation and turmoil that have swept through most of the Muslim-majority countries."
Dilshod Achilov, British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies

"...presents a fresh and thorough historical analysis of an intriguing thesis."
Laura Welty, Nationalism and Ethnic Politics

"[A] well researched and thought-provoking book."
Ammar Ali Qureshi, Dawn

"Ahmet Kuru has done an amazing job of navigating through the academic minefield with aplomb in answering some of the questions that many even would not dare to pose. Kuru's work should be lauded and be part of essential reading for many areas of pedagogy."
Dipak Gupta, Terrorism and Political Violence

"Islam, Authoritarianism and Underdevelopment, provides a careful and nuanced view of contemporary problems in Muslim-majority countries, avoiding the easy but erroneous simplicity of grand theories, while still providing highly valuable insights. It is meticulously researched, clearly argued and a great addition to any bookshelf."
Emily Silcock, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs

"[T]his is a fascinating, complex and rich book, which provides an innovative and revealing new analysis of the intersection of Islam, authoritarianism and underdevelopment. Ahmet T Kuru has done a sterling job of identifying how the secularists and Islamist actors have both contributed to the enduring marginalisation of intellectuals and the bourgeoisie in Muslim societies."
Asif Mohiuddin, The Muslim World Book Review

"According to Kuru's thesis, an unholy alliance of religious scholars and statesmen is mainly to blame for the authoritarianism and backwardness of the Muslim world."
Musa Bagrac, Qantara

"Kuru's attempt to go after big questions has given us an indispensable book for anyone who may want to understand past, present, and future of Muslim societies."
Turan Kayaoglu, The Review of Faith & International Affairs

"Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment is undoubtedly a very important contribution with many provocative arguments. This book has likely already secured a place in any syllabus on Muslim societies."
Gokhan Bacik, Digest of Middle East Studies

"This book is a worthy read that will be appreciated by a wide audience…Anyone looking for a summary of the development of Islamic political thought and the sociopolitical contexts in which these developments occur will also appreciate this book."
Christopher D. Raymond, European Political Science

"…a well researched.., provocative book. [It] will be a tough pill to swallow for many Muslims, especially the "ulema" who still enjoy absolute control and influence of the Muslim narrative."
Ataul Fatir Tahir, Al Hakam

"Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment brilliantly presents a case for explaining the roots of the problems in the Muslim world with the ulama-state alliance…Kuru's work is without doubt a momentous, groundbreaking contribution to the study of the Muslim world as well as Islamic intellectual history."
Mustafa Gökçek, Global Intellectual History

"Kuru backs his claims with an impressive bibliography…[I]t is the broad nature of the work, in addition to the author's avoidance of post-modernist jargon, which makes the book such a delight to read."
John Calvert, Journal of Church and State

"This is a well-documented study that offers a fresh perspective on the history of the construction of the ulema-state alliance. The fifty-four-page bibliography may explain the author's commitment to creating an inclusive approach to a global intellectual tradition."
Rana Osman, The Maydan

"Kuru's volume is an impressive study and welcome addition to the ongoing discussion of the different political, economic, and social trajectories of the Muslim world and Western Europe."
Courtney Freer, Middle Eastern Studies

"Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment is an excellent work. Rich in details with academic vigor, the book will find its place on the shelves of various disciplines. Kuru's engaging style makes the reading a rewarding, joyful experience."
Mustafa Gürbüz, Arab Studies Quarterly

"Kuru is thorough…[H]e gets his facts right, presents his history fairly, and also covers all major relevant interpretations and arguments. The book provides a comprehensive guide to earlier attempts to answer the question of what went wrong, as well as advancing Kuru's own answer. And that answer is argued convincingly."
Mark Sedgwick, Journal of Religion in Europe

"Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment is an objective study that disarms postcolonial scholars, Islamists, and Islamophobes in their bizarre analyses of the backwardness of the Islamic world. A skillful rendering, the book can be adopted in undergrad and graduate classes for a broad range of humanities and social science majors. In the end, the book is a must-read for all Muslims and people who are interested in religion and politics in general and development in particular. I cannot recommend it enough!"
Saeid Golkar, Global Policy

"Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment is an instant classic and a testament to what comparative-historical methods can achieve. Kuru combines the analytical tools of process tracing, path dependence, and critical junctures with a rich bibliography in several languages to provide a focused and clear narrative that spans more than a millennium. It is an outstanding academic achievement with a significant message for contemporary politics within and beyond the Muslim world."
Efe Peker, Governance

"This is not a book of the superiority of one religion over the other, neither of one 'world' over the other; instead, it is a historical analysis of what went wrong in distinct historical periods. The extensive literature on Islamic religion and its intellectuals reinforces the book's most immense contribution: its insight on the religion–state historical construct of eleventh century Islam."
Eleni Pothou, Critical Research on Religion

"[Kuru's book] develops a novel argument and provides a meticulous and well-presented empirical analysis to support it. It encompasses the themes of importance to scholars and practitioners of diverse disciplinary expertise in International Studies – from conflict studies, to democratization, international development, and history. This book has already quite deservingly received a prestigious Jervis-Schroeder Award of APSA's International History and Politics Section in 2020 and will be of interest not only to the scholars of Islamic studies but many others interested in political and socioeconomic problems at the global level."
Renat Shaykhutdinov, International Sociology

"Islam, Authoritarianism and Underdevelopment is a very important study with many provocative arguments that go far beyond the area of religion and politics...Another strength of the book is the comprehensive list of related literature, documents, and the detailed references given both in the text and, together with some comments, in the footnotes. Whatever your entry point might be, you cannot read more than a page or two before you find yourself immersed in a world of ideas that have shaped social science research and theory over the past several decades."
Bulat G. Akhmetkarimov, Politics and Religion Journal

"[An] iconoclastic book."
Faizur Rahman, The Hindu

"[Kuru's analysis] is based on a considerable amount of data from different disciplines, methodical and systematic comparisons with the theses of other researchers, and a stimulating comparison with other civilizations." 
Michele Brignone, Oasis (also published in Italian & French)

"Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment has already found its way onto the syllabi of undergraduate and graduate seminars, but it should be of interest to a much broader audience of all readers interested in Islam and politics. Very few books can so beautifully weave diverse disciplinary insights together in such an accessible way. Kuru's work will go on to be one of the key references in the fields of Middle East studies and Islamic studies, as well as those of politics and religion in general."
Hakkı Taş, Journal of Law and Religion

"The book is ambitious in every imaginable way. Kuru poses a really momentous question, covers an expansive geographical space, traces a long historical period, and yet manages to propose a neat answer, provide an incredible array of empirical materials to back up his claims, and goes beyond the restrictions of his scholarly specialty and thereby transcends the academically well-established borders and walls…Kuru's Islam, Authoritarianism, and Underdevelopment is an admirable work of scholarship."
Birol Başkan, Bustan: The Middle East Book Review

"Looking ahead, Kuru offers Muslims four excellent recommendations: acknowledge the problems of authoritarianism and underdevelopment; blame neither imperialism nor Islam for them; focus on the damage the ulema-state alliance does to intellectuals and entrepreneurs; and develop ideas for 'economic restructuring based on productive systems that encourage entrepreneurship'."
Daniel Pipes, Washington Times

"I welcome the author's anti-authoritarian proposals to revisit the freethinking of the Golden Age of Islam and liberalise the Muslim world, but contest Kuru's apparent pro-capitalist orientation. In this vein, the writer's recommendations could be radicalized to converge with the "Idea" of a global anarcho-communist movement."
Javier Sethness, The Commoner

"Ahmet Kuru helps situate Pakistan within a broader context of authoritarianism, underdevelopment, and ongoing conflicts in Muslim countries."
Pervez Hoodbhoy, Dawn

"Kuru's first visit to Kuala Lumpur for the book launch of the Malay translation generated a lot of controversies."
Farouk Musa, Kajian Malaysia