Islamic political history: Caliphate, sultanate, dictatorship and radical movements

Submitted by Michael S, Dec 17, 2016 at 13:24

Hi, Prashant

It is an essential feature of Islam, throughout history, that only the most violent, fanatical, extreme elements are considered to have the "right" to overthrow a seated Muslim leader. Thus, the Umayyads stole the throne, followed by the Abbasids, then the Fatimids, then the Zangid Turks, then the Ayyubids, then the Mamlukes, then the Ottomans. Once in power, these radicals became "civilized" -- only to become, in turn, targets for the next round of radicals. The only ones to put a temporary halt to this madness were the Europeans, particularly the British. Once they pulled up stakes in 1948, the insanity began all over again. The Europeans tried to plant democracy in their former possessions; but the only form of government the Muslims themselves were able to come up with was caliphate, sultanate or dictatorship. The seats of these Islamic monarchies have been Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Turkey. Egypt spent itself, repeatedly attacking Israel; and now there is a contest for a successor. Turkey (and possibly Iran) seems best poised to take the torch.

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