Islam + Democracy = ?

Sorry for not doing the research myself, but...

Are there any "Islamic Democracies?" Are they feasable?

Since Musilms believe the Koran is Law, and is non-negotiable, wouldn't that be contrary to the fundamentals of democracy?

(does this go in the philosophy forum? :o)
edit: yup...

I'm not really up-to-date on the entire Middle East countries; but I'm sure as countries become more educated, democracy can be seen as a viable solution.

Originally posted by jay@af
Sorry for not doing the research myself, but...

Are there any "Islamic Democracies?" Are they feasable?

Since Musilms believe the Koran is Law, and is non-negotiable, wouldn't that be contrary to the fundamentals of democracy?

(does this go in the philosophy forum? :o)
edit: yup...


On the issue of democracy, it may come as a shock to many to realize that already the majority of the world¹s Muslims live in democracies. These include Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia, which combine for almost 800 million people out of global total of 1.3 billion Muslims. Admittedly the quality and stability of democracy in many of these countries is frail and fragile. But in all of them the head of government was elected in a multi-candidate format with secret ballots and votes for women and minorities.

source -


http://www.pakistanlink.com/nayyer/01172003.html

Originally posted by jay@af
Sorry for not doing the research myself, but...

Are there any "Islamic Democracies?" Are they feasable?

Since Musilms believe the Koran is Law, and is non-negotiable, wouldn't that be contrary to the fundamentals of democracy?

(does this go in the philosophy forum? :o)
edit: yup...

Anwer to the first one is a resounding "Yes"

There is nothing wrong with using the Koran as a basis of ones laws. The majority of laws in western democracies can be traced to the bible. Clearly, the Taliban were way out in left field and Iran is a democracy in name only. Turkey and Indonesia are places where democracy is in place and still evolving.


Edit: In Iran the Islamic Majlis, are the pseudo-parliament whose members are elected by the people from an official pre-selected list. Not quite what democracy has in mind.

Originally posted by YogsVR4


Anwer to the first one is a resounding "Yes"

There is nothing wrong with using the Koran as a basis of ones laws. The majority of laws in western democracies can be traced to the bible. Clearly, the Taliban were way out in left field and Iran is a democracy in name only. Turkey and Indonesia are places where democracy is in place and still evolving.


Edit: In Iran the Islamic Majlis, are the pseudo-parliament whose members are elected by the people from an official pre-selected list. Not quite what democracy has in mind.

So when Americans got to vote between Bush and Gore,that was not a pre-selected list?

Well look at it this way:

Fundamental Christian thought does not allow for a democracy, and prior to the 1600s there was no such thing as Democracy anywhere in Europe, merly a the rule of the Chruch.

Yet today we have Christian democrcys, countries that follow the basics of Christian law and morality, while democraticly electing thier governments.
With inthe mirid of differnt ways of interpting Christian teachings (basicly the Bible) was found a compromise, there is no reason what so ever a similar compromise can not be found with in the teachings of Islam, or that it already hasnt.



OT:
Kev, I always thought India was a non-relgious state, and that muslims made up a minority of the population, behind Hindus, Budhists and Christians?

Originally posted by Moppie


OT:
Kev, I always thought India was a non-relgious state, and that muslims made up a minority of the population, behind Hindus, Budhists and Christians?

Have another read of the text that I quoted.It says that the majority of Muslims live in democracies.It does not say that they are neccesarily in the majority or in control in those states.It is also true that there are quite a few muslims in Britain and the United States,and they're democracies too.

Originally posted by taranaki


So when Americans got to vote between Bush and Gore,that was not a pre-selected list?

That "pre-selected" list was not everyone running. They were from the two major political parties that won their parties nomination from the voters as well. In Iran the list of potential electors is decided by the clergymen and not by the people. http://www.iranian.com/Mar96/Opinion/AmirIran.html has a crude but fairly consise description of their structure. There are more indepth descriptions if you want, but that ones still the way it works there.

I'm going to quote something I wrote a short while ago in another thread (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t97085.html).
Originally posted by JD@af
I also think that people are jumping the gun about the war being over. Yes, Baghdad was of course the most significant military target in the country, but there are still enemy forces to be weeded out elsewhere, in Tikrit for example. And don't forget that to establish government under a new regime, the coalition forces will have to have occupancy, including from what I've heard 100 K troops over the course of years. I think it will be a rough process as well, with tensions between the Sunni, Shiite, and Kurds most likely erupting into violence at times. The liberation of Iraq is another Yugoslavia waiting to happen, which is still not a region that knows peace (and it hasn't been since.. I think June of 1991).

At some point 1600's was mentioned and I think it is excatly that. Since Muslim history is about 600 years younger then the Christian religion, they still have to go through all the things that the Christians went through the last 600 years. And because of the open information world that we live in, it might be a bit faster. But it's going to be a long and hard process. Think about the wars we fought in Europe over the last 600 years. Of course it's not the same situation now but Muslim religion still has a long way of development ahead. And history tends to repeat itself, right?

Originally posted by huudo
And history tends to repeat itself, right?

Very much so.

you guys had some interesting stuff to say but to answer the question above. Islam + Democracy = a new reality show
i just know someone somwhere is going to try and capitalize on this and name it something stupid like iraqi idol or something well thats my 2 cents

Originally posted by taranaki


So when Americans got to vote between Bush and Gore,that was not a pre-selected list?

Anyone can run....Pat Buchannan ran, Ralph Nader ran...its just Bush and Gore are from the 2 "major parties"