A Political Theory of Muslim Democracy

Develops an idea that has yet to be properly explained - Muslim democracy Ravza Altuntaş-Çakır proposes a framework of Muslim democracy that reconciles public claims made by Muslims with the normative and practical demands of democratic regimes. This book examines the ideals, institutions and processes that shape the development of a concrete Muslim-based democratic system - a form of democracy that recognises the centrality of religion in Muslim societies. Questioning the customary characterisations of Islam's compatibility with democracy, the book adopts a comparative political theory approach that initiates a dialogue between Muslim and Western political thought. It systematically studies debates concerning Muslim political thought, multiculturalism, secularism, the public sphere and constitutionalism, which enables an exploration of Muslim democracy through a political theory approach, rather than a theological one. Key Features - Constructs a Muslim democracy framework, inspired by Muslim and Western multiculturalist political thought - Provides an inclusive typology of Muslim political thought to discover essential norms for democratic thinking - Provides an inclusive typology of multiculturalism elaborating upon its capacity to reconcile democracy with religion - Synthesises these theoretical concepts and values to provide interpretative tools for a comparative political of Muslim democracy - Offers a scholarly construction of the notion of a political theory of Muslim democracy Ravza Altuntaş-Çakır is a Lecturer in the Political Science and International Relations Department, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University.