Democracy in Islamic Political Philosophy: Non-virtuous but Desirable Regime

• In Event: Democracy in the Middle Ages? Views from Islam and the West

Abstract

The question of the best political regime is the main question of Islamic political philosophy. Muslim philosophers like al-Farabi, Ibn Rush (Averroes), and Ibn Bajja (Avempace) discuss democracy and unanimously agree democracy is a non-virtuous regime in which the attainment of the ultimate happiness and virtues is not its aim. This attitude to democracy can be traced back to Plato's political philosophy and Islamic political teachings. The former condemns democracy since the desires and wishes of the vulgar govern it, and the latter considers the government should rule the city according to Sharia (Islamic law). However, this paper argues that despite the fact democracy is not directly praised by the Muslim philosopher, it is indirectly considered as the least hostile regime among the non-virtuous regimes to the virtuous regime since all kinds of ways of life, including philosophical and virtuous ways of life, can be practiced. It lets people follow their interests and preferences. Although it is not probable for philosophers to rule the democratic regime, they can freely engage in theoretical activities, disseminate their ideas, promote the virtuous way of life without fear of being prosecuted by the government, or censor their views since democracy is not rule based on coercion and domination, and be hopeful for the rise of a virtuous regime out of democracy. In sum, democracy, in the Muslim philosopher's view, is the most desirable kind of regime after the virtuous regime to live and pursue virtues.

Author

• Firooz Jafari, Texas A&M University