"A deep dive into the complex dynamics that produced political sectarianism, and consequently sects, in the Arab world. Filled with rich comparative insights and sensitive critical engagement with the literature on sectarianism, Bishara's book makes a passionate call to build states anchored to the principle of equal democratic citizenship."-- Bassel F. Salloukh, Associate Professor of Political Science, Lebanese American University "Drawing on Charles Taylor's notion of a "social imaginary" and Benedict Anderson's idea of 'imagined communities, Azmi Bishara undertakes a massive study of the historical sociology, theory and dynamics of sectarian conflict in Europe and the Arab-Islamic world. An intellectual tour de force, and an essential read for serious students of this topic." -- Nader Hashemi, Director of the Center for Middle East Studies, University of Denver, and co-editor of Sectarianization: Mapping the New Politics of the Middle East "Offers a wide-ranging treatise on ideas of sectarianism within political life, transcending the Middle East. Philosophically rich, ambitious and intellectually challenging, this book will come to be regarded as one of the seminal texts in the canon of literature on sectarianism."-- Simon Mabon, Professor of International Politics, Lancaster University.