Democracy and Islam Have Occupied a Central Position in Middle Eastern Politics - Case Study Example

Democracy and Islam – Case 611 Democracy and Islam – Case 611 Democracy and Islam have occupied a central position in Middle Eastern politics as the Arab world is experiencing the transition from authoritarian rule to democracy. Democratization efforts made by Arab countries include Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, and Yemen as early as the 1980s (Tessler and Brand, 1995). The subject has become even more important in global politics, particularly after the occurrence of the Arab spring. Government in most Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain to name a few, is characterized by traditional authoritarian rule. After the overthrow of dictatorial regimes in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya during the Arab spring, demands for a democratic form of government are also brewing up in the neighboring Arab states. The case study, written by Tessler and Brand in the year 1995, sheds some light on the present events happening in the Arab world as they reflect some repercussions originating from the historical realms of political Islam and democracy. The subject is of vital importance considering the current trend in Arab politics and its implications on international politics at large. The current events occurring in the Arab world have deep connections with the history of democracy and Islam in the region, and can be better understood with regards to the historical trends. According to Tessler and Brand (1995), Islam has significantly grown in its importance in the Arab world. Such sentiments are visible through the more apparent praying and veiling. And many campaigns seem to rake in a lot of support as they reinforce the Islamic banner. Such a support can materialize into successful election of the candidate provided that an electoral poll takes place. However, not all scholars agree with the supposed positive correlation between democracy and Islam. Many scholars argue that democracy and Islam are incompatible. To make a statement about the issue requires serious study into the current air prevailing across the Arab world while also seeking guidance from the theoretical frameworks. Political Islam is usually viewed as a conflicting concept to secularism or other liberal forms of democracy. However, in the Arab world, it is almost impossible to eliminate religion from political systems. The events of the Arab spring demonstrated the need to reconsider the relationship between Islam and democracy as ideological rivals. Individual protests during the Arab spring grew immensely strong eventually changing the political system from authoritarian to democratic. More importance is the fact that the events gave rise to creation of Islamist parties that are eager to take part in the democratic elections and therefore, come to power (Malinova, 2012). The Islamic concept of governance and power holds critical importance in international relations, particularly in the Middle Easter and North African (MENA) region, where Islam is the major religion that governs life. Islam as a religion and culture guides various spheres of social and administrative activities. Also, political institutions are legitimized by Islam as the religious law lays down the guidelines for politics and jurisdiction. In Islamic law (shariah), Quran and Sunnah (prophetic traditions) are two major sources of jurisdiction and the ruler is subject to the shariah law (Malinova, 2012). As a result, politics, to a great extent is driven by religion as it plays a central role in the running of country affairs. The rise of Islamist parties in the post-Arab spring environment indicates that such agendas are being propagated with backing drawn from Islamic traditions and concepts. This has allowed such parties to quickly draw attention and support from people who are dissatisfied with the dictatorial form of government running in the country. On the other hand, democracy theoretically grants greater power to the citizens as they can demands greater accountability and can frame the practices under which leaders come to power. Institutions and resources provide the necessary instruments required in the running of states. Therefore, democracy implies more power for the citizens too choose and question their leaders. Tessler and Brand (1995) have traced the Islamic resurgence since the 1970s. This is essential in understanding the historical links of democratization in the region and its aftermaths, which are visible today. This resurgence not only encouraged an Islamic-oriented lifestyle but also promoted the Islamic way of government consistent with the prescribed sacred law. Unsurprisingly, this ideology has garnered great support over the years, particularly from the youth. Today, the trend is similar in terms of its demography but it is also interesting to note that the Arab youth has grown increasingly discontent of their present authorities triggering democratic support. The realization which was initiated decades ago has had deep and profound impact on the present situation of the MENA region, characterized by Arab states. Most Arabs consider Islam to be consistent with a democratic process, which allows greater accountability from the authorities and fosters general well being of the masses. The fundamental purpose of Islamic law is also to encourage equality and social justice through a number of checks and jurisdictions that guide behavior and social life. As such, the relationship between Islam and democracy, although complex, seems to be a compatible one although some Muslim clerics regard secularism and liberal democracy as un-Islamic. The political system operating in the Arab world is a matter which will have severe consequences on international relations in the global stage. The political climate is more important due to its ability to penetrate borders and spill to other Arab states. So, any political development happening within any of the Arab states has its ripple effect in the regional politics. The growing concerns of the Middle Eastern states over the Arab spring is an example of how activist waves can spread quickly engulfing one state after another in its transformation to a democratic state. For the Arab countries that have previously had long-standing authoritarian governments, the move towards democratization will introduce procedures different than before giving more chance to the citizens to participate in the country affairs. The present day happenings of the year 2011 reflect its historical repercussions in the quest for democracy. In Egypt, a seminal role was played by the Muslim Brotherhood in overthrowing the dictatorial regime to establish a democratic government. This can help in understanding the rhetoric employed by the protesters in advancing their agenda. The Muslim Brotherhood, which began its political movement, aimed to introduce a synthesized form of government that combined Islam and democracy. Several angry protests took place with the critical role played by social media in disseminating information and providing a communication platform. The result was the transformation from a dictatorial to democratic country. But more significant is the fact that the replaced government had stood for more than a decade and presented itself as apparently powerful enough to deflect any critical moves. The result was, however, a drastic regime change. Scholars attach great importance to the Arab spring in changing the political landscape of the Arab world. The happenings were transformational and were impactful on the whole region as developments in other states took place to curb such events. Although Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya have replaced a democratic process to their governmental affairs, the rest of the Arab world remains primarily traditionalistic in nature and authoritarian in terms of the government. The events of 2011 indeed changed the political climate of the region with traditionalist countries attempting to pacify the matters by increasing state incentives. The wave of protests which drew in Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt threatens to spread to the Arab world thereby changing the entire political structure of the region. Islam is a major factor in advocating such moves as an increasing understanding of Islam and democracy has allowed the average Arab to view it as complimentary concepts rather than conflicting. This wave of democratization backed up by Islamic motivations and support from Islamic movements threatens to change the course of global politics at large. After the downfall of the Saddam Hussein government, Iraq is going through a challenge in trying to sustain the democratic process in the country. The country seems to be threatened by terrorist attacks and the recent attacks by the ISIS. In trying to preserve the democratic process in the country, Iraq is faced with various dilemmas pertaining to the administration and governance. The matter is closely linked to the status of Islam and democracy to the Arabs. It is evident that military dictatorship has not proved to be popular neither in Iraq nor in many other Arab states. The reason is the limitation posed to civil rights and other liberties under authoritarian governments. Considering Arab states where the leadership is primarily monarchical, the government is still characterized by authoritarian power centers where accountability is close to nil. In the wake of such conditions, the Arab spring has provided with stimulation for the discontent youth to campaign for a democratically oriented system that is consistent with Islam. So, Islam and democracy occupy a central position in Arab politics as discontent youth gathers more support for their cause. The need for a political reform had been recognized decades back in the 1970s as examined by Tessler and Brand (1995). Decades later, the events of the Arab spring have not only confirmed the recognized cause but have also reinforced the need for a political transformation. The Arab spring provided the people with the motivation of instating a government that is democratic. Much of the support for a democratic form of government comes from the realization of Islam-democracy compatibility. As more and more people adopt the democratic process as political system in alignment with Islam, the wave is likely to spread other Arab states. Much of the Arab world is characterized by either military governments or monarchies, both having very little political participation by the citizens. With the democratic government, the Arab citizens hope to have their representations in the parliaments. This also implies that more and more citizens are demanding greater rights, liberties, and share of the resources at a governmental level. Thus, the increasing understanding of Islam and democracy as well matched concepts, many Arab states have been successful in changing to a democratic government. By doing so, Islamist parties have been able to receive great support at elections thereby allowing them to take the charge. Islam will remain to be an important factor across the entire Arab world. Starting from a religious resurgence originating since the 1970s, the Islamic sentiments have grown stronger with religious affairs becoming a dominant force in how the country should be run. Tessler and Brand (1995) noted that trends of veiling, praying, and attending mosques had plunged. Also, an understanding of the foundations of democracy as a reconcilable concept has spurred the need for a political reform. Much of the Arab world had previously traditional governments and while a significant area of the MENA region has retained its long-standing governments, things have now changed ever since the Arab spring. The Arab spring changed the ideology of citizens as non-participating members of the society. The Arab spring has been viewed as a transformational event which now threatens to replace the traditional authoritarian regimes with modern democratic systems. Modern implies a more liberal form of government that grants more rights and freedoms to the people than their previous counterparts. This would imply a lifestyle change as well as a massive political change. Tessler and Brand (1995) have mentioned how the Arabs define political Islam as a way of giving them more participation in the government and hence greater democracy. The rise of Islamist political parties is a major change and because they are able to gather sizeable amount of support from the public, it is also a major concern for the leadership. Islam continues to be an important political domain for the leadership as well as the citizens. During the 1980s, trends from a poll show that few respondents with personal piety supported fundamental Islamist groups however the trends for today might be different considering the time lapse and the rise in fundamentalism, particularly after 9/11. Nevertheless, Islam and democracy are key issues that is a dominant force in the Arab world. References Malinova, M. (2012). Is Islam Compatible with Democracy?. Paper presented at The Middle East & North Africa (MENA) and the Balkans: Challenges of Transformation, Sofia, Bulgaria. Bulgaria: New Bulgarian University and Aljazeera Centre for Studies. Tessler, M., & Brand, L. (1995). Democracy and Islam in Arab politics (1st ed.). Washington: Institute for the Study of Diplomacy Publications, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University. Read More