Export of democracy to the arab world

An essay on the compatibility of islam and democracy

Essay , 2007 , 26 Pages , Grade: 18/20

Politics - Other International Politics Topics

Western Initiatives in the last years and especially in the aftermath of 11 September 2001
multiplied and intensified (e.g. the U.S. proposal of a Greater Middle East Initiative, Barcelona
Process by the EU) in order to bring democracy to a region which by any definition has the Arab
World at its core and which in comparison to Eastern Europe and Latin America seems reluctant
to follow the common trend of establishing representative democracies as form of government.
Besides the “exportation” efforts also internal Arab political discourse generally endows
democracies with a virtually talismanic quality capable of solving all outstanding problems, as
Al-Azmeh rightly points out.
The Arab Word is stretching from Morocco in the west to Oman in the east including a variety of
different state structures (small city states like Kuwait , large states like Libya, extremely rich
and extremely poor regions)3 and is populated by heterogeneous ethnic groups (large Berber
minorities in the Mahgreb and Kurdish, Turkic and Armenian minorities in the Mashreq).
However big the differences may be two common nominators can doubtless be identified: Islam
and a democracy deficit . The questions arising are obvious. Is the message of the prophet
responsible that no stabile democratic government is in sight in the Arab World ? Is the deficit in
democratic ruling indeed a cultural and religious problem ? Is the Koran compatible with the
concepts of democracy ?

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• A. Introduction
• B. Limits
• I. Democracy as Universal Model
  • 1. Modernity
  • 2. Democracy
  • 3. Islam and Democracy
  • 4. Perception of the Current Situation of Democracy in the Arab World
  • 5. Conclusion and Prediction
• II. Democracy and the Clash of Civilizations
  • 1. Modernity
  • 2. Democracy
  • 3. Islam and Democracy
  • 4. Perception of the Current Situation of Democracy in the Arab World
  • 5. Conclusion and Prediction
• III. Islamic Modernity
  • 1. Modernity
  • 2. Democracy
  • 3. Islam and Democracy
  • 4. Perception of the Current Situation of Democracy in the Arab World
  • 5. Conclusion and Prediction
• IV. Conclusion
• Bibliography
  • Books and Articles
  • Internet Resources

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This seminar paper aims to explore the compatibility of Islam and democracy in the context of the Arab World. It examines the debate surrounding the "export of democracy" to the region and analyzes different perspectives on the relationship between Islam and democratic principles. The paper focuses on three main schools of thought: the universalist approach, the "homo islamicus" perspective, and the concept of Islamic democracy. It investigates how each perspective views modernity, defines democracy, and interprets the relationship between Islam and democracy. The paper also analyzes the current situation of democracy in the Arab World and explores potential future scenarios.

• The compatibility of Islam and democracy
• The "export of democracy" to the Arab World
• Different perspectives on the relationship between Islam and democratic principles
• The role of modernization in the development of democracy in the Arab World
• The current situation of democracy in the Arab World

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The introduction sets the stage for the paper by highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding the compatibility of Islam and democracy in the Arab World. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural and religious dimensions of democracy in the region and explores the different perspectives on the issue. The paper then delves into three main schools of thought: the universalist approach, the "homo islamicus" perspective, and the concept of Islamic democracy. Each chapter examines how these perspectives view modernity, define democracy, and interpret the relationship between Islam and democracy. The paper also analyzes the current situation of democracy in the Arab World and explores potential future scenarios.

Schlüsselwörter

The key terms and focus themes of the text include democracy, Islam, Arab World, modernization, universalism, "homo islamicus," Islamic democracy, cultural compatibility, political reform, and the "export of democracy." The paper explores the relationship between these concepts and analyzes the challenges and opportunities for democratic development in the Arab World.

• College: Vrije University Brussel (Université Libre de Bruxelles)
• Course: Seminar
• Grade: 18/20
• Author: Franco Burgio (Author)
• Publication Year: 2007
• Pages: 26
• Catalog Number: V113628
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640148400
• ISBN (Book): 9783640148493
• Language: English
• Tags: Export, Seminar