伊斯兰传统文明的基本特征与中东现代化进程的历史轨迹

伊斯兰传统文明与中东现代化进程两者之间具有内在的逻辑联系和历史联系,伊斯兰传统文明的特定历史背景决定了中东现代化进程之区别于其他诸多地区现代化进程的特殊道路。土地所有制的非国有化运动、穆斯林与非穆斯林之间社会界限的淡化和法律地位的趋同、现代民族国家的兴起以及民族主义、极权主义与国家资本主义的实践,标志着中东现代化进程的长足进步。世俗化并非现代化的必要组成部分,所谓的世俗主义和伊斯兰主义在不同的历史时代具有不同的历史内涵。西方宪政制度的移植并未带来真正意义上的自由和民主,现代伊斯兰主义运动构成中东诸国下层民众的广泛政治参与和民主政治挑战极权政治的重要外在形式。     

The technological development of stonepaste ceramics from the Islamic Middle East

The microstructures and chemical compositions of stonepaste bodies from the Islamic Middle East, typically produced from a mixture of ten parts crushed quartz, one part crushed glass and one part white clay, are investigated using analytical scanning electron microscopy. For comparison, replicate stonepaste bodies are produced in the laboratory at firing temperatures in the range 900–1200 °C, and are similarly examined. The stonepaste bodies are divided into four primary microstructural groups that reflect the increasing reaction during firing of the glass fragments with the clay and quartz particles. The observed microstructures are then used to assess the geographical and chronological variations in the production technology of stonepaste ceramics from Egypt, Syria, Iran, Uzbekistan and Turkey, spanning the period from 11th to 17th centuries AD.     

War and Diplomacy in the Middle East

Book reviewed in this article: The Politics of Diplomacy: Revolution, War and Peace, 1989–1992, James A. Baker, III, with Thomas M. DeFrank The Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait: Saddam Hussein, his state and International Power Politics, Mussallam Ali Musallam