Asabiyya and State: A Reconstruction of Ibn Khaldun's Philosophy of History

Ibn Khaldun's chief contribution lies in philosophy of history and sociology. He sought to write a world history pre-ambled by a first volume aimed at offering a theoretical analysis of historical events. This volume, commonly known as Muqaddimah or 'Prolegomena', was based on Ibn Khaldun's unique theoretical approach and original scientific contribution and became a masterpiece in literature on philosophy of history and sociology. In this book Dr Kamal Mirawdeli reconstructs Ibn Khladun's theory of history in a clear systematic way grasping not only his original themes and innovative ideas but also offering a very accessible analytical context which helps the reader to understand the conditions of the possibility of Ibn Khaldun's philosophy of history, its mode of existence and its political function as a tool for explaining the relationship between knowledge and power.

Kamal Mirawdeli is a Kurdish academic, writer and poet. He has obtained BA in English from Baghdad University, MA in Philosophy and PhD in Literature (Orientalism) from University of Essex, UK and MSc in Economy and Political Science from London School of Economics (LSE). He has taught literature, philosophy and language and has written extensively about Middle East issues, and Kurdish literature and politics. He has also worked for many years in the Voluntary Sector in Britain providing management, training and consultancy for the development of civil society organisations and institutions.