|
I am currently taking a course (Religion & Global Politics), and the authors of some works have made a fairly good point that democracy has never come about as a result of freestanding liberal argument.
Instead, it is finding democratic principles within religion that has made democracy possible. There are surely writings within the Koran, hadiths, etc., in which arguments for democracy, multivocalism, and pluralism can be found. There are writings within almost all religious texts that can be used as pretexts for violence as well.
Islam, of course, is a missionary religion with univeralist aims (like Christianity). There are also proponents of violence and terrorism who claim Islamic beliefs. At the same time, however, there are movements that have an Islamic basis that promote democracy.
The Justice and Development Party of Turkey is a good example for those in Islamic countries to follow to implement democracy. It has similarities to the Christian Democratic Parties of northwestern Europe.
One thing to keep in mind is that most countries do not have the seperation of church and state that the US has. Most European countries have Christian-based parties. In Germany, there is a tithe of 9% one can opt to pay to the Catholic Church, Evangelical Church, or the Jewish organization. To be eligible for benefits such as marriage, burial, retirement homes, etc., one must pay this tithe.
Perhaps we ought to look at some of these Islamic parties in another light -- compare them to the Christian Democratic parties of the West. Religious parties have as much right to play a role in the political process as any secular actor, so long as they renounce violence, terrorism, and obstructing democracy, or blocking secular actors and ideologies from playing a role in the political process as well.
__________________
The Buck Stops Here
|