This book examines the central aspects of modernity and the underlying factors at work in the process of modernization. It begins by examining Western modernity and then uses the insight gained from this examination to study the implications of Western modernity for non-Western societies. The author also attempts to demonstrate the inadequacy of the functional approach for understanding the process of modernization in non-Western regions.

"Safi's book is an interesting contribution to the debate on modernization in the Arab world and the Muslim world at large...his book will stimulate further debate and raise it to a higher, more informed, and sophisticated level." - American Journal of Islamic Social Studies

"Safi's book is an interesting contribution to the debate on modernization in the Arab world and the Muslim world at large...his book will stimulate further debate and raise it to a higher, more informed, and sophisticated level." - American Journal of Islamic Social Studies