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Poll

Are Islam and Democracy Compatible?

Yes61%61% - 27
No38%38% - 17
Total: 44
2006-12-12 07:08:18
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7182|Argentina
This is a list of countries with more Muslim Population % and the kind of government they have, according to their Constitutions.  Some of them are doing fine, but most of them aren't true democracies.  Is Islam compatible with Democracy?

Country & Muslim Population %:

Saudi Arabia 100% Gov: Absolute Monarchy
Somalia 100% Gov: No Effective National Government since 1991 (Civil War)
Afghanistan 100% Gov: Islamic Republic
Maldives 99.9% Gov: Republic
Western Sahara 99.8% Gov: Disputed Territory
Turkey 99.8% Gov: Republic
Iran 99% Gov: Islamic Republic
Algeria 99% Gov: Semi-Presidential Republic
Mauritania 99% Gov: Military Junta
Yemen 99% Gov: Republic
Tunisia 99% Gov: Republic
Oman 99% Gov: Absolute Monarchy
Comoros 99% Gov: Federal Republic
Djibouti 99% Gov: Democracy
Morocco 98.7% Gov: Constitutional Monarchy
Pakistan 98% Gov: Semi-Presidential System
Lybia 97% Gov: Jamahiriya
Iraq 97% Gov: Parliamentary Democracy? Lol (Civil War)
Tajikistan 95% Gov: Republic (Civil War)
Jordan 95% Gov: Constitutional Monarchy
Qatar 95% Gov: Monarchy
Senegal 94% Gov: Republic
Azerbaijan 93.4% Gov: Republic
Egypt 91% Gov: Republic
Mali 90% Gov: Parliamentary Democracy
Niger 90% Gov: Parliamentary Democracy
Gambia 90% Gov: Republic
Uzbekistan 89% Gov: Authoritarian Republic
Turkmenistan 89% Gov: Totalitarian Dictatorship
Indonesia 88.2% Gov: Republic
Bangladesh 88% Gov: Parliamentary Republic
Syria 88% Gov: Presidential Republic
Guinea 85% Gov: Republic
Kuwait 85% Gov: Constitutional Monarchy
Bahrain 85% Gov: Constitutional Monarchy
West Bank & Gaza 84% Gov: Palestinian National Authority
Kyrgyzstan 80% Gov: Republic
United Arab Emirates 76% Gov: Federal Constitutional monarchy
Lebanon 70% Gov: Republic

Last edited by sergeriver (2006-12-12 10:19:37)

2006-12-12 07:16:50
SpaceApollyon
Scratch where it itches
+41|6945|Finland
At the moment, not so much. But when Islam deflates like Christianity already has, it becomes more viable.
2006-12-12 07:38:40
CameronPoe
Member
+2,925|6980
If I had never visited the middle east before I would have said no but having visited Istanbul recently I can tell you that democracy seems to work VERY well over there in Turkey. It surprised me how moderate Islam could be.

Last edited by CameronPoe (2006-12-12 07:39:17)

2006-12-12 08:29:51
Masques
Black Panzer Party
+184|7147|Eastern PA
Works well in Albania, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Comoros, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Guinea, the Madives, Djibouti, Yemen, and Mali.

If we also include states that have made significant steps toward the loosening of control, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE.

EDIT: Forgot to add Senegal to the list of fully democratic states.

Last edited by Masques (2006-12-12 08:31:22)

2006-12-12 08:55:54
Elamdri
The New Johnnie Cochran
+134|7072|Peoria
Iran was a successful democracy until we overthrew Mossadegh.
2006-12-12 10:52:58
Stingray24
Proud member of the vast right-wing conspiracy
+1,060|6870|The Land of Scott Walker
Yes.  Compatible with moderate Islam, not radical Islam.
2006-12-12 11:19:08
Elamdri
The New Johnnie Cochran
+134|7072|Peoria
There's a decent amount of Republics in that list, btw.
2006-12-12 15:11:15
jonsimon
Member
+224|6920
All the people who voted no are complete idiots. Sorry, but a religion and a system of government cannot be mutually exclusive. Posing the question is silly, let alone answering no. And, that list is deceptive, considering the US would fall under Republic by the list's standards.
2006-12-12 15:15:54
Bertster7
Confused Pothead
+1,101|7006|SE London

It's got nothing to do with the religion itself. It's more about regional culture.
2006-12-12 15:59:39
Turquoise
O Canada
+1,596|6830|North Carolina

Elamdri wrote:

Iran was a successful democracy until we overthrew Mossadegh.
Yep.  America really isn't that interested in promoting democracy, unless that democracy is Pro-U.S.
2006-12-12 16:45:17
Elamdri
The New Johnnie Cochran
+134|7072|Peoria

jonsimon wrote:

All the people who voted no are complete idiots. Sorry, but a religion and a system of government cannot be mutually exclusive. Posing the question is silly, let alone answering no. And, that list is deceptive, considering the US would fall under Republic by the list's standards.
well duh, there has never been true democracy. Its inefficient.
2006-12-12 17:46:47
cospengle
Member
+140|6912|Armidale, NSW, Australia

jonsimon wrote:

All the people who voted no are complete idiots. Sorry, but a religion and a system of government cannot be mutually exclusive. Posing the question is silly, let alone answering no. And, that list is deceptive, considering the US would fall under Republic by the list's standards.
Australia is a constitutional monarchy, but we mostly still consider ourselves to be living in a "democracy". Mind you, like most Aussies, I couldn't give you a good definition of "democracy" in the context of national governance.

There are plenty of examples of all forms of government in places with all sorts of religious persuasions. I'm not sure what the list is supposed to point out (if anything). Is it just a list? Or was there something we were supposed to find different/surprising?

Edit: I'm not sure what proportion of Australia's population is Islamic ATM, but in 2001 it was about 1.5% (source: Australian Bureau of Statistics).

Last edited by cospengle (2006-12-12 17:55:43)

2006-12-12 17:52:29
jonsimon
Member
+224|6920

Elamdri wrote:

jonsimon wrote:

All the people who voted no are complete idiots. Sorry, but a religion and a system of government cannot be mutually exclusive. Posing the question is silly, let alone answering no. And, that list is deceptive, considering the US would fall under Republic by the list's standards.
well duh, there has never been true democracy. Its inefficient.
False, the early Germanic tribes implemented very effective democracies with incredible success.
2006-12-12 18:44:13
Doctor Strangelove
Real Battlefield Veterinarian.
+1,758|6893

Stingray24 wrote:

Yes.  Compatible with moderate Islam, not radical Islam.
2006-12-12 18:49:59
Elamdri
The New Johnnie Cochran
+134|7072|Peoria

jonsimon wrote:

Elamdri wrote:

jonsimon wrote:

All the people who voted no are complete idiots. Sorry, but a religion and a system of government cannot be mutually exclusive. Posing the question is silly, let alone answering no. And, that list is deceptive, considering the US would fall under Republic by the list's standards.
well duh, there has never been true democracy. Its inefficient.
False, the early Germanic tribes implemented very effective democracies with incredible success.
In the context of today though, it would be too inefficient. Yes, historically your right, but for practical purposes, I am.
2006-12-12 19:20:48
weamo8
Member
+50|6868|USA

jonsimon wrote:

All the people who voted no are complete idiots. Sorry, but a religion and a system of government cannot be mutually exclusive. Posing the question is silly, let alone answering no. And, that list is deceptive, considering the US would fall under Republic by the list's standards.
Actually, all of the people who voted yes are complete idiots.  Islam is not compatible with democracy at all.  In Islam, the laws are already made.  There is no majority rule; you don't vote on anything.

Can democracy be successful with a majority Islam population?  Yes, of course.  That however is a different question.

I would say that most of the "major" religions are not compatible with democracy.  By most belief systems, the majority can not change Gods mind.
2006-12-12 19:32:29
Spark
liquid fluoride thorium reactor
+874|7100|Canberra, AUS

weamo8 wrote:

jonsimon wrote:

All the people who voted no are complete idiots. Sorry, but a religion and a system of government cannot be mutually exclusive. Posing the question is silly, let alone answering no. And, that list is deceptive, considering the US would fall under Republic by the list's standards.
Actually, all of the people who voted yes are complete idiots.  Islam is not compatible with democracy at all.  In Islam, the laws are already made.  There is no majority rule; you don't vote on anything.

Can democracy be successful with a majority Islam population?  Yes, of course.  That however is a different question.

I would say that most of the "major" religions are not compatible with democracy.  By most belief systems, the majority can not change Gods mind.
Somehow I think that the OP meant (and most people understood the question as) "Can democracy be successful with a majority Islam population?".

Last edited by Spark (2006-12-12 19:32:44)

The paradox is only a conflict between reality and your feeling what reality ought to be.
~ Richard Feynman
2006-12-12 19:46:49
jonsimon
Member
+224|6920

Elamdri wrote:

jonsimon wrote:

Elamdri wrote:


well duh, there has never been true democracy. Its inefficient.
False, the early Germanic tribes implemented very effective democracies with incredible success.
In the context of today though, it would be too inefficient. Yes, historically your right, but for practical purposes, I am.
It certianly seems that way.
2006-12-12 19:49:54
weamo8
Member
+50|6868|USA

Spark wrote:

weamo8 wrote:

jonsimon wrote:

All the people who voted no are complete idiots. Sorry, but a religion and a system of government cannot be mutually exclusive. Posing the question is silly, let alone answering no. And, that list is deceptive, considering the US would fall under Republic by the list's standards.
Actually, all of the people who voted yes are complete idiots.  Islam is not compatible with democracy at all.  In Islam, the laws are already made.  There is no majority rule; you don't vote on anything.

Can democracy be successful with a majority Islam population?  Yes, of course.  That however is a different question.

I would say that most of the "major" religions are not compatible with democracy.  By most belief systems, the majority can not change Gods mind.
Somehow I think that the OP meant (and most people understood the question as) "Can democracy be successful with a majority Islam population?".
Then he should have asked that question.  Assuming people understand your inferences in online chat is not efficient.

What I am suggesting is that for jonsimon to suggest that everyone who chose "no" are "idiots" was an inaccurate statement.
2006-12-13 03:53:52
sergeriver
Cowboy from Hell
+1,928|7182|Argentina

weamo8 wrote:

Spark wrote:

weamo8 wrote:

Actually, all of the people who voted yes are complete idiots.  Islam is not compatible with democracy at all.  In Islam, the laws are already made.  There is no majority rule; you don't vote on anything.

Can democracy be successful with a majority Islam population?  Yes, of course.  That however is a different question.

I would say that most of the "major" religions are not compatible with democracy.  By most belief systems, the majority can not change Gods mind.
Somehow I think that the OP meant (and most people understood the question as) "Can democracy be successful with a majority Islam population?".
Then he should have asked that question.  Assuming people understand your inferences in online chat is not efficient.

What I am suggesting is that for jonsimon to suggest that everyone who chose "no" are "idiots" was an inaccurate statement.
I didn't assume anything, just posted a question "Are Islam and Democracy compatible?".  Then you have this list with the countries with majority of Muslim Population, and their kind of government (which is there just FYI, not to make a point).  So, you all are free to give your opinions based in what you know about Islam.  The only point I made there was that, despite what kind of government their Constitutions establish, most of them aren't true democracies.

Last edited by sergeriver (2006-12-13 03:55:01)

2006-12-13 04:31:46
Cybargs
Moderated
+2,285|7141
It worked with Christianity, I don't see why not with islam. It does indeed need to take some time.
https://cache.www.gametracker.com/server_info/203.46.105.23:21300/b_350_20_692108_381007_FFFFFF_000000.png
2006-12-13 04:32:48
Ess
Banned
+5|7051
The whole problem stems from the fact that there are many different interpretations of Islam. It seems to be hugely flexible in the way it is applied in diffferent countries, ranging from radical extremists to moderate democracies. Many anti-democratic regimes have hijacked "Islam" in order to justify their opression but not all muslims agree with that interpretation
2006-12-13 04:39:11
aardfrith
Δ > x > ¥
+145|7217

Elamdri wrote:

Iran was a successful democracy until we overthrew Mossadegh.
Dare I say it, Iraq was a successful democracy until we overthrew Saddam Hussein.

Sure, there was only one contender in the elections but they had the semblance of being democratic.
2006-12-13 05:32:13
Ess
Banned
+5|7051
Iraq had many things during Sadaam's reign : The third largest army in the world and the highest percentage of graduates per head of population, of any country. But I cant accept that there was any real democracy except you could choose to vote for the Baath Party or be tortured by them
His son Uday was a complete and utter maniac and all Iraqi's were terrified of him and for good reason as his death squads were busy after dark.
Control yes...democracy , no
2006-12-13 12:35:14
Spearhead
Gulf coast redneck hippy
+731|7115|Tampa Bay Florida
Last I checked we've got millions of Muslims in the United States, and about 99.999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999 of them support democracy........ hmmmmmmmmmm

 

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