The uniqueness of islamic fundamentalism and the fourth wave of international terrorism

Islamic fundamentalist terrorism has become the single most influential phenomenon of the first years of the new millennium. The occurrences of this phenomenon over the last two decades are described, and its theological roots are examined. The uniqueness of Islamic fundamentalist terrorism derives from the activist makeup and totalistic character of Islam, its ability to penetrate inter-state boundaries, and the total adherence of believers to specific behavioural tenets leading both to and from a strong orientation to things collective. Yet Islamic fundamentalism is not detached from the general phenomenon of fundamentalism and differences seem to be in degree rather than in kind.