This book assesses the capabilities of an Islamic approach in aiding self-organisation by examining the case of the occupied Palestinian territories in conjunction with a comparative analysis of four other nations. Three main mechanisms of Islamic development are explored; finance, microfinance and charity. Identifying the need to recognise the non-linear nature of societal interaction at the individual, community and state levels, the book uses complexity theory to better understand development. It assesses the role of Islamic development at macro and micro levels and identifies issues with rigid and hierarchical policy making.

Stephen Royle is an experienced analyst based in the Middle East. He has previously been an advisor to the Palestinian Prime Minister. Stephen obtained his PhD from the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion, at the University of Lancaster, United Kingdom