The relationship between democracy and Islam always arouses a lot of debate and discussion among academics and ordinary people. It is often assumed that Islam has nothing to do with democracy that it is inimical to democracy and civil society. This assertion is discussed within a larger context that Muslim societies lack attributes of change, freedom, justice and human rights. These relationships may be examined against the backdrop of the end of the Cold war about the bi-polar rivalry that brought with it the euphoria of sweeping wave of democratisation.
It is believed that galvanisation of support and radicalisation of the otherwise socially conservative traditions into powerful currents in the African, Arab and Muslim worlds towards the end of the last millennium needs serious analysis away from parochialism and dwarf lenses of biases and forgone conclusions which perceive Islam in light of the personalised application of law. They need to be examined critically in terms of the socio-economic, cultural and political dynamics and circumstances.
The debate arises in order to critically examine the relationship between what “liberal” democratic values are and the Muslim conception of governance on one hand. I will attempt to understand whether or not Islam is antithetical to tolerance and social justice on the other.
I can claim that the so -called “political Islam” is not a monolithic, purist, homogeneous, one-dimensional thing that is bent on being anti (West). However, it is a discourse that centres Islam within the political order. Max Weber has made somewhat similar observation as to the relationship between the spiritual reform of Protestant Reformation and Capitalism. This has spurred the need for discussing the affinity between forms of religious thought, and socio- economic and socio-political structures.
Understandably, the most abstract speculative ideas being political, economic and social may not necessarily be borne in a vacuum. They are mostly linked with conceptual, historical and political precedents and processes. Democracy itself though not monolithic, one may discern from it many trends and features. It has developed more than two millennia by philosophers and thinkers. It has acquired diverse meanings and has referred to different historical settings and ideals. It is recalled that the form of democracy in the Greek City-States was direct because of the small size of the population, which is not necessarily tenable in all situations and in everywhere. As such democracy is in contradistinction to monarchic and aristocratic rule. One can therefore easily discern real democracies from those that claim to be, as one can reveal their fragility and vulnerability.
John Locke of England expounded on the themes of human rights, individual liberty, and minimal government, sanctity of life and property and toleration. However, it was Baron de Montesquieu of France who further developed the institutional framework for such a representative government. He delineated the three arms of government: the executive, the judiciary and the legislature in order to have the system of checks and balance . In this way, the absolutist monarch who claimed ultimate authority on human law could be abolished gradually and the attainment of political equality, liberty, self-development and common interest could be promoted.
Democracy is not merely symbolic procedural matters. On the contrary there are substantive issues attached to it. It is a pluralistic system of power whereby decisions within civil society and the state are made by all members. It is not looked at simply from the perspective of party politics and majority rule. Democracy encompasses matters related to equality, the creation of distributive justice, empowerment of the powerless and decentralisation of power.
By necessity, one may examine if democracy is essentially anti-discourse “religion”. Interestingly, Islam calls for an equilibrium that the human conscience stands firmly knowing the secrets of the universe, purpose of life and the consequences of actions. Thus, it is required of people to know the laws of the universe, the laws of life and the potential of the earth in their service. These in their nature are rational and human per excellence. This also necessitates that people should be connected to Allah with spiritually and emotionally. There is also a balance between the sources of knowledge be it from the revelation, reason or combination, as an important Islamic epistemological basis.
Arguably, democracy is not a static concept. Rather, it is dynamic and acclimatises itself to new realities and circumstances. Democracy is a combination of the reflective and the concrete in the political theorising of philosophers over two millennia on the nature of governance (polity). Consultation (shura) is an important discourse in Islam and indeed in the Qur’an as a whole chapter is dedicated to consultation (al-Shura). It is a socio-political necessity in order to promote engagement and participation in the processes of decision-making. The ramifications of shura are far-reaching as it nurtures trust between the ruler and the subjects, and in the society as a whole. After all, democracy and politics are about good management of the affairs of the state by encouraging power-sharing, distribution of limited resources and allocation of tasks and responsibilities.
In the end, I claim that it will be difficult to debunk moral debate in political and social issues. However, religion and politics cannot be equated. Both liberal democratic paradigm and Muslim thought of governance seek to bring about prosperity for all. While the former is based on pure human rationality, the latter is hinged on both reason and revelation. However, it is not completely true and accurate to claim that the liberal democratic principles are free from an ideology.
To Contact Dr Manta:
Email : amdrammeh@hotmail.com
Website: www.tircglasgow.org.uk
Thank you Dr Drammeh, you have said it all! And it’s loud and clear, hopefully. Max and Luntango will benefit from it.
Yea, yea, Jobe … do your wind-ups elsewhere because I always, unlike some people (lol), recognize my superiors. I bow to Dr Drammeh’s infinitely superior intellect.
That said, Dr Drammeh’s final statement, “However, it is not completely true and accurate to claim that the liberal democratic principles are free from an ideology”, is what I call “pulling the punch”. I would take a full-swing instead and say that ” … liberal democratic principles are … an ideology” and if that does not get me a TKO add an upper-cut to the effect that ” … liberal democratic principles are … a religion”! A fundamentalist and fanatical religion at that!
With total respect to the Learned Doctor of course.
Indeed Dida, Liberal democracy has taken a religious undertone. Of course with the Yanks as the Great Gods and custodians, yet they prove to be inconsistent across the world. America’s interest override democratic exports. As usual, Dr Manta is a top draw to borrow former sky sports Andy Gray. A season intellectual, sound in both secular and religious scholarship and academia.
The problem I continue to encounter with Gambian intellectuals is that, many tend to be one dimensional and inept in their spiritual domain, whilst many a time, they are more interested in status than problem solving intellectualism. Thanks again Alhagie Manta.
It was touching to view Prince Charles embrace King Abdullah this week on Jordanian soil. Royals respecting Royals.
I once viewed King Hussein from a bowed position as he walked into an exclusive restaurant near Ullswater in the English Lake District. I had just sold the empty restaurant a fax machine…and was asked to stand in line with the staff as he made his entrance..closely followed at a respectable distance by his beautiful wife.
Dr Manta asks some pertanent questions and delivers his thesis with conviction. For sure democracy has travelled into the heart of Islam, but so far has been rejected. The Arab Spring fell to a mixed reception.
History tells us that democracy was never an overnight sensation.
Is democracy an inevitable future requirement of all people? I don’t know. But the world has yet to come to terms with technology that allows a thrieving exchange of idea’s that must compromise the changing cultures and perceptions of history and the change that drives all ambitions.
Called so,Dr.! As a small boy,even before he acquired the laminated credentials.I am a brick layer but i got him right.Stay focused!
I think for most of us to challenge Dr Manta’s incredible interlect would be a conflict between analogue and digital.
But one question I would ask of the Noble scholar is:
Do Islam’s hereditry Kings and rulers and dictators need Islam more than Islam needs them?
With respect.
Scale,ease up! no contest no challenge at all.king james was the first democratic ruler and the United Kingdom monarchy and government has a lot of disregard for its churches despite its people,belonging to a predominantly’catholic’ faith,and not meaning church-goers.Surely my findings are no where near answering your questions.Mr.Scales i exulted Mr. Drammeh’s interlect out of mare childhood friendship as we went to the same high school.I think most contributors here, unlike myself, are well seasoned intellectuals.With due respect.
Thanks very much for your pertinent contributions. The question Mr Scales raised whether Arab rulers needed Islam or otherwise. I would say that they absolutely need Islam. Islam is an ideal that cannot be embodied by an individual ruler or otherwise.. It has laid foundations for social justice, transparency, human dignity. However, the human mind is needed to operationalise those values and ideals into practical and workable models. Also, the trap we often find ourselves in is equating Islam with Arab culture.When Islam came it did not shun it culture in its entirety, but accommodated some and reformed others. Islam for example uprooted female infanticide that was rampant amongst Arabs at the advent of Islam and introduced a new social system based on human fraternity, fairness, righteousness and respect for women. Thus we have a whole chapter in the Qur’an dedicated to women (AL-Nisa). Therefore the wrongs of some Arabs and some Muslims should not be blamed on Islam. We need to differentiate between Islam and practices of some of its followers
Thankyou Dr Manta….for your very reasonable reply to my enquiry.
In those brief words you exposed my “tunnel vision” towards Arabia. But at the same time opened my eyes to Islam’s much larger panorama. That was good for me. It moved my awareness up several degrees.
There is absolutley no doubt that Islam has entered “western culture” for many centuries. We note the confluence of religions eminating from the history of Constantinople…for example.
However speaking from an englishman’s view point being born though the period of free expression. For my generation and the next generation, { and in view of the passage of some two and a half million muslims now living in modern Britain}
Living and breathing in that fine city of Glasgow, enables you to understand our current perception of Islam is not based upon centuries of history. But on how Islam is to impact upon our neighbourhoods.//today and tomorrow.
Being ever the optomist and through my experienced passage into Banjul, I have never been afraid of Islam…But you will no doubt relalise that some of my creed do have missgivings. In light of recent wars and terrorism incidents of incredible brutality.
Indeed we are treated nightly on our screens to the leveling of towns and cities with millions of casualties. Each side screaming Allah Akabaa as being the greater claimer to right against wrong. In another incident we are informed that a blogger is to get 1000 lashes…for doing what we take for granted.
It would be reassuring to the general public if the true scholars of Islam were to explain there perception of Islam against this ever unfolding backdrop of conflict and death.
I for one accept without reservation that western governments have reacted very badly..and with a similar brutality, through thinking that you can kill an agrieved ideology with bullets.
For sure, those young so called “radiclised” freedom fighters, were once ordinary young men who came from good god fearing families.
You will also note that President Obama recently claimed this ideology was ” bankrupt” only interested in death and killing. This would indicate that we the West…have very little perception of so called terrorism and what its ultimate ambition is.
Is it entirely an act of revenge..or does it have an ambition to become a state based upon its own set of principals?
Clearly, the 25 year conflict in Ulster…eventually came to a political resolution.
Does Dr Manta believe that the only solution will come from a political settlement….baring in mind….Palestine…versus Isreal….is proof that such political solutions are very hard to come by in this modern era.
Or can he offer this englishman some hope that we can get on with the business of the persuit of happiness and our version of freedom without being blown up in some cafe while drinking a cup of coffee.
I believe that the Dr Manta’s in this world should get on the offensive to attempt to guide this anger towards “peace in our time”
If we all acknowledge we were wrong….we may just find the solution.
This is the best I can do.
Mr. Scales, be rest assured that there is only one Dr. Manta Drammeh with regards to the debate, discussion and commentaries on the caption,’Is Islam Antagonistic To Democratic Values?’
My acquaintance to Dr. Manta Drammeh indicated to me he is very humble and shy and probably despise the lack of professionalism here within.He(Dr.Manta Drammeh) is not a type who will indoctrinate but listen,debate, discuss and learn.Whilst the average Gambian on the other hand, are intelligent reasoners enough, to fall victim to the traps of any dangerous doctrine and the prove of that is not in a silly author like me.
Mr.Obama’s claims on radical Islamist freedom fighters in the middle east could be deemed tangible,but in the case of a majority Muslim country like Malaysia, it is probably Mr.Obama himself who will declare bankruptcy of negative viewpoints when it comes to their politics their democracy and it’s ties to Islam and other minority faiths.However, that doesn’t stipulate that Malaysia’s democracy have that democracy in it like the one you can enjoy in Las Vegas.
Mr. Scales, be rest assured that there is only one Dr. Manta Drammeh with regards to the debate, discussion and commentaries on the caption,’Is Islam Antagonistic To Democratic Values?’
My acquaintance to Dr. Manta Drammeh indicated to me he is very humble and shy and probably despise the lack of professionalism here within.He(Dr.Manta Drammeh) is not a type who will indoctrinate but listen,debate, discuss and learn.Whilst the average Gambian on the other hand, are intelligent reasoners enough, to fall victim to the traps of any dangerous doctrine and the prove of that is not in a silly author like me.
Mr.Obama’s claims on radical Islamist freedom fighters in the middle east could be deemed tangible,but in the case of a majority Muslim country like Malaysia, it is probably Mr.Obama himself who will declare bankruptcy of negative viewpoints when it comes to their politics their democracy and it’s ties to Islam and other minority faiths.However, that doesn’t stipulate that Malaysia’s democracy have that democracy in it like the one you can enjoy in Las Vegas .
Mr.Scales, did Rome being the home of the Vatican made Italy the safest place in the world?This is a wideworld with Muslims at all over,with different viewpoints,and understanding of Islam other than that of the radical jihadist groups in the middles east,and the likes of Boko Haram in Nigeria and it’s neighbouring countries.
Weapon manufacturers must be running a very terrible loss in these times.
Peace is in the heart of the beholder.
hereby apologise for the previous posting which is incomplete
Ggapm Agapm.
Thankyou for your kind illustration, wisdom and guidence. By an act of fate or through my passage through Gambia and Nigeria…I have inherited many more Muslim friends than Christian.
I have never even thought about the subject of “difference”.
I could see none
I could feel none
I could touch none.
Dr Manta….moves that feeling in me.
But knowing me and my past…I doubt that even after being instructed deeply into any potential conflict.
My opinion would be the same at the end of such enlightenment as it is today and yesterday.
Strangely I share the same opinion about skin tone.
I grew up surrounded by prejudice….But strangley it never overcame me.
This is my lifes victory. I think Dr. Manta shares the same glory.
I wear my crown as a converted toubab with pride.
We were all African’s once and will be again.
Mr. Scales, to my layman understanding,there is nothing in the forum that connotes ‘skin tone’ or racial denomination but instead,seasoned intellectuals with ideals and opinions pertaining to Islam and democratic values.
However, in my opinion, the nature of this forum makes it inevitable to refer
to geographical boundaries or countries.
On ‘inherited friend’; I don’t know exactly what it means but where I come from, they say,’ not how much friends you make but how many good ones you have.’
Furthermore, I perceived that the intelligence and the importance of this forum will very much be underestimated if it entail ‘skin tone’ or racial denomination matters.
Difference…?, there is none. Quote,’…but what cometh of thy heart.’
Your words and reasoning are faultless.
But I have a situation. I do not know by what measure of criteria to confirm who or what qualifies for the status of being a
” seasoned interlectual”.
If Intelligence is required….I have very little.
If knowledge is required…mine is limited.
If a qualification is sought….I have none.
But as a true friend I have no equal.
I did not write,’seasoned interlectuals’ but I wrote,’seasoned intellectuals’
By the way Dr. Manta’s ‘incredible interlect’as you comment earlier on makes little sense.In brick laying, a very well dried and well treated timber can be referred to as ‘seasoned timber’
Scales if I want I’ll start writing in AKU.In fact the topic of this forum is clear and most contributors are not affected when I exalted Dr.Drammeh intellect, but only you getting petty and uneasy? A wa do you? A speak creole well well, bot a nuh de speak queen Inglis well well.
This writer have not seen Dr.Drammeh for nearly two decades but probably, due to you pettiness and bad mindedness, you’ll think there are many Dr. Manta Drammeh’s.
This is it: IS ISLAM ANTAGONISTIC TO DEMOCRATIC VALUES?
Nothing personal and I don’t want to know any characteristics of you.
I am certain you are fluent in many languages….my friend.
Good luck with your “english”
I’m not sure of your ‘well wish’
You don’t seem to be anything like the real Britons I use to know in Gambia.
Another fact is, I like to follow contributors with brilliant and constructive ideals and opinions related to problems in the Gambia and this is not mere poetry.Ha haaaa! ‘Good luck’ with my English, you know this and that like you are some kind of a menace.