A Political Theory of Muslim Democracy - (Edinburgh Studies of the Globalised Muslim World) by Ravza Altuntaş & -Çakı & r (Paperback)

About the Book

Proposes a framework of Muslim democracy that reconciles public claims made by Muslims with the normative and practical demands of democratic regimes.

Book Synopsis

Ravza Altuntaş-Çakır 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.

From the Back Cover

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.

Review Quotes

A very cutting-edge and path-breaking work in the field. There are many political science texts on the phenomenon of "Muslim democracy" but this may be the first book that treats it as political theory or ideology. This will be a very important and influential book.

-- "Andrew F. March, Professor of Political Science, University of Massachusetts"

In deconstructing the 'Turkish model', Ravza Altuntaş-Çakır adroitly unravels a contemporary paradox: the reconciliation of faith and pluralist participation. Her masterful exploration of Islamic writings and political theory substantiates that Muslim democracy can, indeed must, have normative roots. It is a bold and inspiring call to rethink democracy as merely instrumental and Muslim societies as narrowly doctrinal.

--James Piscatori, co-author of Islam Beyond Borders: The Umma in World Politics

About the Author

Ravza Altuntaş-Çakır is an Assistant Professor at the Political Science and International Relations Department at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University. In 2018, she obtained her PhD in Political Theory at Durham University's School of Government and International Affairs. Her research interests are in the areas of Islamic and multiculturalist political thought, Middle Eastern politics, and comparative political theory.