First published in 1978, this title analyses a range of problems that arise in the study of North Africa and the Middle East, bridging the gap between studies of Sociology, Islam, and Marxism. Bryan Turner challenges the basic assumptions of Orientalism by considering such issues as the social structure of Islamic society, the impact of capitalism in the Middle East, the effect of Israel on territories, revolutions, social classes and nationalism.

Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. Marx on Colonialism and Capitalism 2. Marxist Theories of the Middle East 3. Ethnicity, Social Class and the Mosaic Model 4. Ideology: Nationalism and the Superstructure 5. Revolutions: Modes of Production and Social Classes 6. Appraisal: The Dilemma of Epistemology; References; Index