Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1: What is 'Sectarianism'? 'Sectarianism'/'Ta'ifiyya': A Definitional Free-For-All Not Just Useless, Dangerously Distortive Defining the Indefinable: What is to be Done? Chapter 2: The Study of Sectarian Relations 'e" Key Debates The Role of Religion in Sectarian Identity Sectarian Identity and the Middle East: Between Allergy and Obsession Unity and Division, Aspirations and Reality Context, Flexibility, Salience From Above, From Below and the Role of Foreign Powers De-Mystifying Sectarian Identity Chapter 3: The Many Dimensions of Modern Sectarian Identity The Complexity of Identity The Dimensions of Sectarian Identity Sectarian Identity as a Reflection of Religious Doctrine Sectarian Identity as Subnational Identity Sectarian Identity as a Frame for Transnational Solidarity and Geostrategic Competition Conclusion Chapter 4: Sectarian Identity in the Era of the Nation-State Nationalism and 'Sectarianism' Sectarian Identity before the Nation-State The Impact of the Nation-State The Necessity of a Multi-Dimensional Approach Chapter 5: Sunni-Shi'a Relations 'e" An Imbalanced Divide The Sunni-Shi'a Divide and the Question of Equivalence Measuring Demographics Minorities, Majorities, Demographics and Power State-Sect Relations: Minoritization, Majoritization, Securitization Sunni Muslim, Normal Muslim? A Counterproductive Taboo The Securitization of Sectarian Plurality Chapter 6: 2003 and the 'Sectarian Wave' Framing the Sectarian Wave 2003: A Historical Disruption From Apologetic to Assertive: Sect-Centricity Unveiled Sect-Coding and Social Media Sectarian Identity and the 'Arab Spring' The Perils of Sect-Coding Chapter 7: Iraq, 2003-2018 'e" Sectarian Identity and the Contestation of the State The pre-2003 Roots of Shi'a Political Sect-Centricity 2003 and the Empowerment of Shi'a-Centricity The Diminishing Relevance of the Sunni-Shi'a Divide The Shifting Politics of Sect in post-2003 Iraq The Normalization of the Post-2003 Order The Muhasasa System Electoral Politics Political Behaviour and the Parameters of Populism The Politics of Sect after 2014 The End of Shi'a-Centric State-Building and Sunni Rejection? Conclusion BIBLIOGRAPHY.