This paper argues that the neoliberal transformations in the Middle East have brought about a new phase of the continuous historical process of state restructuring in line with the trends of changes generated by globalisation elsewhere in the world. After outlining how states have responded to them, the paper shows how Islamist groups have resisted this new form of globalisation and moved in to challenge the authority of incumbent regimes, which have failed to provide the social capital and fill the welfare gap. More specifically, it demonstrates how state deficiency has not only strengthened the hand of Islamist groups by undermining the political legitimacy of authoritarian regimes but has also provided a windfall to Islamist organisations, allowing them to express themselves in the name of resisting globalist hegemony and foreign domination.
