Identifying Possible Futures for Islamism with the Help of Morphological Analysis Method

Utilizing morphological analysis method in the context of futures studies, a model for identifying various types of Islamism that are possible to be constructed in future is introduced. Morphological analysis is method and a tool that, by focusing on various classificatory criteria, enables us to develop all possible scenarios for a phenomenon. In this article we treat Islamism as a social movement that can emerge in a variety of types based on different theoretical foundations and various ways of constructing group identities. In order to identify characteristics and criteria that set various types of Islamism, some the existing typologies are introduced and assessed. Because of heavy reliance on assumptions, concepts and categories that are alien to the Islamic world, many of the existing typologies miss the picture and do not help us to gain a better and deeper understanding of various streaks of Islamism. Taking a critical stance vis-à-vis the underlying assumptions of the existing typologies, we try to present a model that encompasses a range of criteria that differentiate various types of Islamism that can possibly emerge in future.