Islamic revolutions are driven by a recurring conflict between ideologues and pragmatists.

Evidence

A more accurate description, for this as for other previous Islamic revolutions, would present the conflict as one between pragmatists and ideologues. The latter are those who insist, against all difficulties and obstacles, on maintaining the pure doctrine of the revolution as taught by them. The former are those who, when they have gained power and become involved in the processes of government at home and abroad, find it necessary to make compromises. — Bernard Lewis, From Babel to Dragomans, 1496

Categorization

• DEFINE: Sets up a core analytic distinction for understanding revolutionary politics.