Is democracy foreign to the East? Not entirely — the Mu’tazila were an early group who argued that any authority which does not come from the people also does not bind their will, thus giving an early and good justification for popular government and popular representation.
But there is a fundamental conflict between democracy and traditional Islam. Democracy is predicated upon the idea that every individual can, should and must have the freedom to make individual choices about his or her life. Of course, this must also include the freedom to differ and to be a dissenting voice. The freedom to simply do what the majority regards as “right” is no real freedom at all.
But in Islam, the freedom to differ has traditionally been sacrificed for the sake of achieving unity and solidarity. It is not that freedom and independence are given no value or removed entirely — instead, they are given strict boundaries and limits, lest the unity of the community of believers be undermined:
- “Renouncing freedom of thought and subordinating oneself to the group is the pact that will lead to peace; Islam will be instituted if the individual agrees to sacrifice his individualism. Hawa means both “desire” and “passion,” but it can also signify “personal opinion.” It is the unbridled individual interest of a person who forgets the existence of others in thinking only of his own advantage.... But...hawa is not to be excluded or eradicated; it must rather be managed in such a fashion that it will not exceed the hudud, the sacred limits.”
Islam and Democracy
It is interesting that fundamentalist Islam actually relies upon a very weak and depressing idea of Islamic faith. Fundamentalists are committed to the idea that the government is required to enforce and defend Islam. Their perception seems to be that without this support faith in Islam will wither, because Islam has nothing to offer a modern citizen of a modern state. But is this really true? And what does it say about Islam if it can only survive through state enforcement?
Mernissi’s book seems to be targeted towards an academic audience, and because of that many readers may have some difficulties with it. Nevertheless, it is an excellent introduction to the ways in which Islamic theology, Muslim politics, and democratic ideals have interacted in the Middle East. Understanding contemporary politics there is greatly aided by her scholarship.
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