Farid Younos. Democratic Imperialism: Islamization vs. Democratization.

Farid Younos. Democratic Imperialism: Islamization vs. Democratization. AuthorHouse, 2008. Hardcover $25.00. 218 Pages.

Democratic Imperialism: Islamization vs. Democratization was passionately and astutely written during a time where chaos in the Middle East is highly prevalent and neo-colonialism is clearly evident. The author challenges the feasibility of implementing a democratic value system in the Middle East and claims that Islamization is the optimum solution for Muslim countries. The book is a revolutionary critical analysis of both Islam and western-democracy and delineates why democracy will not prevail in Islamic countries. Specifically, the author argues that in Muslim countries Islamization fits the culture values of the people, while Democratization not only fit cultural values, it creates division, ethnocracy, and chaos. The author states, "Islamization is a process of reconstruction of Muslim countries according to Islamic law, education, values, and sociopolitical and economic principles" (135). This book poses and clearly answers a compelling question: Are Americans qualified to export and impose their brand of democracy in the Middle East?

According to the author, western democracy is fallible while Islam is infallible. He questions how democracy can be imposed on Muslim countries when democracy leaves so many unanswered questions. He further asserts that each day the American society is faced with debatable questions that the government can not clearly answer. For example, does the government have the right to decide whether a mother can abort her baby or not? Does the government have the right to allow the death penalty? Does the government have the right to allow same-sex marriages? His point is that in a democracy, there is no definite answer to these highly debatable questions which causes chaos, corruption, and confusion within a society. The author uses the current state of Afghanistan (a country where he was born and raised) as an example where democracy has proven to be futile. He believes that there should be a clear answer to all questions in order for the citizens of a country to achieve felicity, happiness, and prosperity (135).

Based on 30 years of Islamic research, the author concludes that Democracy in Muslim countries will not help the society nor will it succeed in a country where 99.9% of the population practices Islam, such as in Afghanistan. He stresses that Islam is not only a religion but a complete way of life which encompasses all social, political, and economic affairs. The author argues that "democratization is going to be a failure in Muslim societies because it is not designed for the needs, culture, and progress of Muslim societies" (202). Specifically, he notes how Islam and democracy clash. He asserts that in a Democracy, people write the rule of law, and people execute the rule of law but on the contrary, in Islam the rule of law is the Qur'an and the traditions of the Prophet. He further emphasizes that American liberal democratic values promote secularism, while Islam negates secularism. Lastly, he claims that American liberal democracy does not define social norms and values for the welfare of society which cause civic anarchy. In Islam, all social norms and values are defined either through the Qur'an or the tradition of the Prophet Mohammad (130-131). The author asserts that Islam is absolute. His assessment of Islam from a political, social, and economical lens led him to believe that Islam will help the people of Muslim nations become independent from foreign influences, neo-colonialism, and exploitation. He supports his conclusions by using quotes from the Qur'an and the Sunnah to help establish a pure Islamic state where dignity, equality, and unity are the norm.

In order for Muslim countries to develop, one would question the rationale behind implementing an Islamic political system over a democracy. It is no secret that the majority of the world's richest nations have democratic systems of government and with rapid movements in globalization, modernization, and urbanization in the 21st century; it would only make logical sense to democratize the world. But contrary to the common belief, India for example has been a democratic nation for a significant period of time and is amongst the poorest nations of the world. Furthermore, countries such as China, with no democracy and a repressive government, have managed to develop and progress. As the author states, "Muslim societies are faith based and they take pride in that and western societies are secular based on secular laws and they take pride in that. Each is good for their own people" (202). Based on the sound research conducted throughout the book, the significance of an Islamic political system in Muslim countries and the positive influence it would have on the rest of the world emerges. The latter half of the book clearly outlines the characteristics of an Islamic political system and the conclusion describes the implementation plan.

This book is probably intended for scholars, but interested lay people would fred the intellectual constructs of great value.

Belal A. Kaifi is a doctoral candidate at the University of San Francisco.