The Political Economy Of Women’s Support For Fundamentalist Islam

In the article “The Political Economy of Women’s Support for Fundamentalist Islam”, the authors (Bladyes & Linzer, 2008) state that religion is the major contributor of fundamentalists in the political economy. Women in Islamic religion are forced to tolerate some beliefs to be considered religious and respectful. Despite that other religious countries have become compatible with gender equality most of them still have beliefs concerning how citizens should be treated. Other Muslim states such as Egypt are still categorized by patriarchy they do not believe in gender equality. Middle East countries still adhere to the rules that interpret that women do not have equal rights as men.

The foremost challenge that is discussed is women's inequality and how the Islamic religion treats females as compared to men. (Bladyes & Linzer, 2008) discuss that women are not given equal opportunities when searching for a job or educational values. The authors surveyed analyzing why women in middle east countries such as Egypt are not given employment opportunities especially when they come from poor backgrounds. The analysis further explains how there are different classes in society that determine women’s fate. This is seen where a child is given an opportunity because the father was working for the government. However, it is perceived that females from the Islamic religion are comfortable with the beliefs and practices that deprive them to have a social life. They do not argue or fight for their social rights as most feminists do in other countries. Many women in Arab countries have not gone to school because of beliefs. Therefore, they do not know their rights.

The authors (Bladyes & Linzer, 2008) further discuss that the key determinant of inequality is the lack of opportunities and financial insecurity among Islamic women. There are individuals from different family setups that are forced to get married to wealthy men because they cannot afford to support themselves financially. The marriage which is referred to as “market marriage” is usually planned in order for an individual to receive sustenance. Consequently, they are obligated to search for husbands who can financially stable to receive provisions from them. Women cannot give any public opinion and they are not allowed to participate in cultural or social activities. The argument that there is inequality among Islam’s is due to the issue that women are forced to stay at home and wait for their husbands to provide for them. The citizens are only allowed to bore children and take care of household duties. The small number of women who are educated and allowed to go look for employment. However, employers do not consider the level of education. They end up getting menial jobs and little wages which can only make them afford their basic needs. While both males and females have the same level of education, women are less likely to get employed. This is evident because many female Islam’s resorts to get married to working-class men who either got employed because of their education or their family’s background. The managers do not bother to see if the individuals are skilled. However, what is not understandable is how women agree to be in an institution whereby they are not valued. In their view, this is supposed to be their fate because they have no option.

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Binzel & Carvalho (2016) Explain how social class has a fundamental impact on women regarding their lives. Most women are left out on interviews and other major functions that can determine their educational attainment. This is enlightened whenever one wants to be an opportunity, the elders determine where one can be placed depending on their social class. The less fortunate have to be interviewed according to their levels of education. Whereas the fortunate got chances regarding their father’s authority on society. According to Binzel and Carvalho (2016), most individuals whose parents worked in a governmental job did not have to show their credentials for them to be employed. It is on the basis that their background enables them to get white-collar jobs. Subsequently, women who are given improved opportunities come from wealthy families. However, individuals from higher income are less likely to entertain these beliefs. This is because they are democrats and they do not support inequalities. However, lower-income individuals who mostly are not educated are more expected to support fundamentalism. Their illiteracy makes them believe that it is normal for every individual to support the beliefs that their forefathers put in front. As a result, they follow all the arrangements that were made before the twentieth century. Consequently, the elderly are given better opportunities instead of them retiring and staying at home and making ways for female youths who have university degrees due to their hard work. The citizens are forced to separate their identities depending on their social class and probabilities.

Pepinsky and Welborne (2001) Argue that piety does not allow political economy inequality. This is discussed considering that Muslims are generous. Individuals resort to going to Mosques to ask for assistance whenever they have a financial problem. By making this claim, the authors used examples of how they offer small jobs and other basic needs where necessary and this is usually provided in the communities or mosques. They go about helping the less fortunate with employment opportunities that they can manage depending on their education and age. Consequently, the authors analyze that Muslim individuals based in the United States avoid getting high-class opportunities from the government. Pepinsky and Welborne (2001) further discuss that almost all Muslims have equal opportunities and they get their jobs based on their hard work. The authors state that individuals get better income and social opportunities from religious groups as compared to what the governments can offer. They do not agree that the less fortunate go through a lot of trouble in order for them to survive. For instance, all-female Muslims have a right to education and other political advancements like voting. By claiming this, the article suggests that all citizens have equal rights regardless of their gender and class.

Even though the subject of Political Economy of Women is argued by the authors Pepinsky & Welborne (2001). They have different perceptions whereby Pepinsky & Welborne (2001) argue that there is nothing like social class inequality among women in the Islamic religion. However, Bladyes & Linzer, (2008), and Binzel & Carvalho (2016) agree that inequality in women is as a result of financial dependence. The unequal distribution of opportunities and chances of getting formal education is biased in Islamic countries. Women are required to live their lives worshiping men. Consequently, they argue that social class is the major reason why Islamic women are treated differently and of lesser value compared to men. This is realized where they involuntary stay at home to take care of the households while they can be able to work for the improvement of society. They do not have the right to vote and are forced to put on certain clothes to show respect to their elders. Subsequently, this act legitimizes inequality based on the political economy of fundamentalism.

In conclusion, different Arabic countries have beliefs about women’s political economy. Some believe that there should be equality between both genders while others oppose the motion. This has a major effect on women living in Islamic countries since they have to adapt and accept the fact that they cannot be equal to men. The leaders believe that women should be left at home to take care of basic chores. Although women can be supportive and hardworking, there is an unfair distribution of opportunities which has made a lot of females consider getting married to people from wealthy families. However, this should not be the case because all genders should be treated as equal and women should have all the rights. A fresh perspective would ensure that females are allowed to enjoy civil, political, and social life by given a chance to live like men. Consequently, this situation is mostly seen in countries where individuals are poor and the socioeconomic class is low. It is also dominant in states where there is a higher ratio of males compared to females. This analysis has consequences in women’s rights and the development of democracy in Islam. The belief in religious innovation is suggestively connected to fundamentalism.