While it is a misrepresentation to portray the development of Islamic fundamentalism as solely a dependent variable resulting from lawlessness, poverty, and desperation, the fact is that elsewhere in the world a relationship appears to exist between the increase in jihadi Islamism and the correlating extent of socioeconomic deprivation of its adherents.

Thus, the failed state of Somalia is unique in its Islamic character, although it contains the typical indicators of jihadi Islamic development, it lacks any significant radical Islamic presence. Instead, the wide-ranging spectrum of fundamentalist movements within the country provides an ideal example of the finer nuances within fundamentalist Islam. A general review of the characteristics of modern fundamentalism will provide a guideline for which to view the numerous fundamentalist movements within Somalia. Following this, a detailed review of Islamic fundamentalism in Somalia specifically will demonstrate that though lawlessness, poverty, and desperation in Muslim majority states are typically indicators that the sustainable growth of jihadi Islamism is feasible, they in no way dictate or guarantee its future development.