Internationalism and localism are two general orientations competing among third world sociologists, Internationalism seeks to build an advanced body of scientific Knowledge that is applicable beyond narrow national or cultural boundaries. Localism is an attempt to establish ‘native’ sociology (s) in the different regions of the third World in order to gain independence from Western sociology.
Within this context the author discusses: firstly, how in practice Arab sociologists consider teaching, research, services and policy matters; secondly, how Arab sociologists the significance of theory, methodology, ideology and classical literature; and thirdly, the reasons why a new generations of sociologists, particularly those who espouse Arabism, Islamism and Marxism, strongly advocate the development Arab sociology.
The paper concludes with recommendations for Arab sociologists to:(1) recognize the international unity of the discipline; (2) maintain and expand the dialogue with international sociology; (3) utilize more rigorous research methodology; and (4) rearrange the priorities of sociologycal inquiries in order to ask questions that are locally considered significant.