Reconciling Islam with Democracy

Paper Summary:

Among the political justifications forwarded for the war on Iraq was one which argued that it was an attempt for the establishment of democracy in the Middle East, starting with Iraq. This paper argues that, while few can argue with the morality of the goal of establishing democracy, the fact of the matter is that this is an unbelievable claim. It is very difficult to believe that either the United States or Great Britain would sacrifice billions of dollars and an uncertain amount of military soldiers for the sake of bringing an Arab people freedom and democracy. The paper argues that, even if the aim was the establishment of democracy, it is unlikely that this democratic system would be a success in bringing stability to Iraq. If the Arab countries are to democratize, democracy must be developed from within those countries and not be forced upon them through military action.

From the Paper:

"In conclusion, one might emphasize the fact that the failure of democracy in Arab countries does not imply that Islam is the obstacle to democracy. Similarly, the failure of Western style democracy to take root in Arab countries does not imply that Islam is fundamentally anti-democratic. Instead, what we may note at this point is that no political system which has been exported or forcibly imposed upon a people and is at odds with the culture of that people, can survive, acquire legitimacy and attain stability. Arab governments cannot democratize unless Arab leaders create the institutions for democracy first. Democracy in Arab countries will not stabilize unless that form of democracy is consistent with the culture of the masses and, above all, is consistent with Islam. Thus, the key to democratization in the Middle East lies in the adoption of an Islamic form of democracy, pending the creation of institutions that will encourage the growth of a civil society that will serve as the main supporting force for democracy."

More papers on Reconciling Islam with Democracy:

• Research Paper # 101848 : "Islam and Democracy"
• Comparison Essay # 88188 : "Islam and Democracy: A Summation of Islamic Scholarship"

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