Islam and Nation: Separatist Rebellion in Aceh, Indonesia
Edward Aspinall
Rooted in the latest theoretical debates about nationalism and ethnicity, yet written in an accessible and engaging style, Islam and Nation presents a fascinating study of the genesis, growth and decline of a nationalist movement.
Drawing on hundreds of interviews with nationalist leaders, activists and guerillas, Aspinall reveals how the Free Aceh Movement went from being a quixotic fantasy to a guerilla army in the space of a generation, leading to a bitter conflict in which thousands perished.
And by exploring the complex relationship between Islam and nationalism, Aspinall also explains how a society famed for its Islamic piety gave rise to a guerilla movement that ended up rejecting the Islamic goals of its forebears.
Islam and Nation is a tour de force in the study of nationalist politics. It will be of great interest to readers concerned about Southeast Asia, Islamic politics, ethnic conflict and nationalism everywhere.
«This book tells the story of Aceh's armed nationalist movement with unprecedented authority, thoroughness and clarity. It will be the standard account of the Aceh rebellion for a long time to come. [More broadly, it brings the Aceh evidence to bear on the intense theoretical debates about nationalism, separatism and Islamism.] Those seeking explanations about why nationalisms form, why rebellions start, and why they often end short of their goal, will find Islam and Nation a reliable guide.»
- Anthony Reid, Former Director, Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
«Islam and Nation makes a persuasive argument about constructed nationalism and the path-dependent way a secessionist movement evolves. Aspinall weaves together well his high quality research findings of the Aceh case with comparative social science literatures. He also writes well - what a relief to read a lucid scholarly book! The overall result is a model of how indepth research can inform, and be informed by, social science debates in a cogent, intelligible form.»
- Benedict Kerkvliet, Professor, Australian National University
[Studies in Asian Security: A Series Sponsored by the East-West Center Washington and a Co-Publication with Stanford University Press]
Edward ASPINALL is a Senior Fellow in the Department of Political and Social Change, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University.
publication year: 2009
312 pages
ISBN: 978-9971-69-485-2 Paperback US$30.00 S$38.00
Our edition is available in Australia, New Zealand, East and Southeast Asia except Myanmar.
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