Islam and Democracy

Research Paper # 101848

Political Science > Political Theory
Religion and Theology > Islam

Islam and Democracy

A unique critique of the compatibility between Islam and democracy.

12,352 words () | 39 sources | APA | 2007 Australia

Paper Summary:

This paper presents some of the proposed Islamic state models, as well as some of the constructs of democracy that attempt to argue the two systems have irreconcilable differences. The paper contends that these analyses tend to overlook elements within both ideologies that appear to parallel or mirror each other, and that might be deemed similar in intent and nature. By examining the spirits of democracy and Islam, this paper identifies some elements within both ideologies that are sufficiently similar to suggest an implicit compatibility between them. Furthermore, the paper contends that certain features commonly observed in democracies that are antithetical to Islam, namely popular sovereignty and secularism, do not actually pose significant obstacles to Islam and democracy being reconciled. Finally, two historical examples in which Islam proved reconcilable with otherwise alien ideologies are described, implying Islam's capacity to embrace ideas that are non-Islamic in origin, and by extension, with ideas located in the democratic spirit.

Outline:
Introduction
A Focus on Structure
The Defining Role of Spirit
Compatibility with Other Ideologies
Conclusion
Bibliography

From the Paper:

"The argument that Islam and democracy are irreconcilable ideologies has received a great deal of support. If God is considered the sole source of law, runs the argument, then government 'by the people, for the people' is surely untenable. Abul ala Mawdudi proposed an Islamic governance system he referred to as a theo-democracy, yet rejected democracy itself as the "kind of government in which the majority rules whether its views be right or wrong." A number of scholars point to the poor record of democratisation in the Middle East, North Africa and Muslim-majority countries in general to support the assertion that Muslims are not capable of embracing democracy, or that Islam, in some inherent way, is incompatible with democracy. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Adams, C. 1983, 'Mawdudi and the Islamic state', in Voices of Resurgent Islam, ed. J.L. Esposito, Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 99-133.
Agence France-Presse 23 September, 2006, 'US firm on Hamas sanctions', in News.com.au, Sydney, <http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20462687-1702,00.html>, accessed 14 October, 2007.
Al-Banna, H. 1982, 'The new renaissance', in Islam in Transition: Muslim Perspectives, eds. J.J. Donohue & J.L. Esposito, Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 78-83.
Al-Turabi, H. 1983, 'The Islamic state', in Voices of Resurgent Islam, ed. J.L. Esposito, Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 241-251.
An-Na'im, Abdullahi Ahmed 1990, Toward an Islamic Reformation, Syracuse, New York.