Meir Hatina is Lecturer in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

• Introduction: Debating Arab Liberalism 1 Historical Endurance, Ideological Fervor2 Revisiting Islam: Toward a Humanist Vision 3 Arab Politics: Oriental Despotism4 The West and Israel: An Inspiring Model5 The 2011 Arab RevolutionsConclusionBibliographyIndex

'An extraordinary accomplishment that is original and thought-provoking. In the late 20th century and early 21st century, during what appeared to be the hegemony of political Islamic radicalism and the authoritarian state in the Arab Middle East, Hatina masterfully reconstructs Arab liberalism and liberal political thought. Analyzing in detail, liberal voices and actions by courageous public-intellectuals, they challenged the overriding authoritarianism with trenchant criticism, speaking truth to power and providing an alternative agenda for freedom of thought and speech, human rights, social equality, women’s emancipation, and genuine liberal democracy. Hatina demonstrates that Arab liberalism is still a vital force in both intellectual and practical spheres, and stands to influence political life in the future. 'Professor Israel Gershoni, Tel Aviv University'Arab Liberal Thought in the Modern Age offers a theoretically informed and fair-minded reading of an Arab liberalism that is not so easy to pin down. The analysis of major thinkers is convincing, and the three themes of scepticism, ecumenism and confidence in Arab advancement provide a novel and stimulating approach to varieties of liberalism which go well beyond political or economic doctrine.'Professor Jakob Skovgaard-Petersen, University of Copenhagen