u003cpu003e"One of the best analysts of the contemporary Arab world."--u003ciu003eLe Mondeu003c/iu003eu003c/pu003e u003cpu003eIn this collection of essays, Gilbert Achcar examines the controversial relationship of Marxism to religion, to Orientalism and its critique by Edward Said, and to the concept of cosmopolitanism.u003cbru003e u003cbru003e A compelling range of issues is discussed within these pages, including a comparative assessment of Christian liberation theology and Islamic fundamentalism; "Orientalism in reverse", which can take the form of an apology for Islamic fundamentalism; the evolution of Marx's appraisal of non-Western societies; and the vagaries of "cosmopolitanism" up to our present era of globalisation.u003cbru003e u003cbru003e Erudite and incisive, these essays provide a major contribution to the critical discussion of Marxism, Orientalism and cosmopolitanism, and illuminate the relationships between all three.u003c/pu003e u003cpu003eu003cbu003eGilbert Achcaru003c/bu003e is a professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. His most recent book isu003ciu003eThe People Want: A Radical Exploration of the Arab Uprisingu003c/iu003e.u003c/pu003e
