CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2025
| Author | Youssef, Ahmed Abdelhamid |
|---|---|
| Title | Beyond the State: Rethinking Poverty Alleviation Through Societal Mechanisms - The Case of Zakat in Islam |
| Summary | This thesis examines poverty alleviation through societal mechanisms, focusing on Zakat in Islam as an illustrative case. While state-led efforts remain central to development policy, many regions, particularly fragile or poorly governed states, struggle to effectively reduce poverty due to institutional weaknesses. This study argues for a rethinking of poverty strategies that include community-based solutions operating beyond the state. Drawing from interdisciplinary literature on poverty, governance, and Islamic social finance, the thesis situates Zakat as a historically grounded, ethically motivated, and socially embedded tool for redistribution. Through comparative analysis, it explores how Zakat operates in contexts of state fragility, how it reaches populations excluded from formal systems, and how it complements or substitutes public welfare. Additional attention is given to its role in informal economies, its gendered dimensions, and the potential of digital technologies to enhance transparency and impact. The thesis concludes that while Zakat cannot replace comprehensive welfare states, it offers a resilient, value-driven supplement, especially where the state falls short. Integrating societal mechanisms like Zakat into broader anti-poverty strategies allows for a more holistic and ethically grounded approach. Ultimately, the study contributes to debates on the moral economy of development and the potential of grassroots solidarity in poverty reduction. |
| Supervisor | Horvath, Julius |
| Department | Undergraduate Studies BA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2025/youssef_ahmed.pdf |
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