Applying Ibn Khaldun: The Recovery of a Lost Tradition in Sociology

The writings of Ibn Khald#x16B;n, particularly the Muqaddimah (Prolegomenon)have rightly been regarded as being sociological in nature. For this reason, Ibn Khald#x16B;n has been widely regarded as the founder of sociology, or at least, a precursor of modern sociology. While he was given this recognition, however, few works went beyond proclaiming him as a founder or precursor to the systematic application of his theoretical perspective to specific historical aspects of Muslim societies in North Africa and the Middle East.#x3B2C; This is partly due to the continuing presence of Eurocentrism in the social sciences that stands in the way of the consideration of non-Western sources of theories and concepts. This book corrects this imbalance by systematically applying Ibn Khald#x16B;n theoretical perspective to specific historical aspects of Muslim societies in North Africa and the Middle East. As such, it is a contribution to the multicultural origins of the discipline of sociology.