Fundamentalism: A Very Short Introduction

The book is organized into seven chapters. It begins by explaining the origins and changing meanings of the word “fundamentalism,” especially its emergence in early twentieth-century Protestant America. It then analyzes the “scandal of difference,” showing how encounters with religious pluralism and modern secular culture provoke defensive religious responses. The following chapters discuss literalist readings of scripture, the regulation of women and sexuality, and the relationship between fundamentalism and nationalism. Ruthven compares examples from Islamic, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, and other contexts to show how religious movements become politically charged in modern society. The conclusion reflects on fundamentalism as a continuing feature of the contemporary world, shaped by globalization, identity politics, and the unresolved tensions between tradition and modernity.