Liberal Democracy and Political Islam: The Search for Common Ground

Politics, Philosophy & Economics, Vol. 10, No 1, February 2011

Islamic Law and Law of the Muslim World Paper No. 09-83

45 Pages Posted: 21 Sep 2009 Last revised: 1 Mar 2011

Date Written: September 20, 2009

Abstract

We seek to establish a dialogue between Islamic and democratic normative political theories. To that aim, we show that the conception of democracy underlying a prominent Islamic political model is procedural. We distinguish proceduralism from a liberal conception of democracy. We explain how bringing together Islamic political theory and democracy alters the meaning of the latter. In other words, we show that democracy within Islam often means democracy within Islamic limits.

Keywords: Islam, democracy, liberalism, constitutionalism, secularism

Suggested Citation

Benhenda, Mostapha, Liberal Democracy and Political Islam: The Search for Common Ground (September 20, 2009). Politics, Philosophy & Economics, Vol. 10, No 1, February 2011, Islamic Law and Law of the Muslim World Paper No. 09-83, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1475928

Mostapha Benhenda (Contact Author)

École Normale Supérieure (ENS) ( email )

45 rue d’Ulm
Paris Cedex 05, F-75230
France

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