Shi'ism and the Democratisation Process in Iran : With a Focus on Wilayat Al-Faqih

Can democracy and Islam cohere? Ibrahim Moussawi asserts that Wilayat al-Faqih, or rule by the jurisprudent, the theory upon which the Islamic Republic was constructed, upholds both individual and communal rights, and provides scope for citizens to express their interests. Moussawi argues that in today's Iran, politics and religion are neither rigid nor diametrically opposed. Since its emergence in 1979, the Islamic Republic of Iran has remained a conundrum for observers, particularly in the West. Shi'ism and the Democratisation Process in Iran examines the fundaments of Iran's Islamic governance and asks the pivotal question: can democracy and Islam cohere? Addressing Wilayat al-Faqih, or rule by the jurisprudent - the theory upon which the Islamic Republic was constructed - he asserts that the system upholds both individual and communal rights, and provides scope for citizens to express their interests. Moussawi draws on the history and theological underpinnings of Shi'i Islam to argue that in today's Iran, politics and religion are neither rigid nor in diametric opposition. Exhaustively researched, Shi'ism and the Democratisation Process in Iran marks an invaluable addition to the growing oeuvre of books on Iran. "Since the disputed June 2009 presidential elections, international attention has been focussed on Iran as never before. Seeking to make sense of events beyond the headlines, Ibrahim Moussawi addresses the fundaments of Islamic governance in this rigorously researched and compelling book. In particular, he asks that pivotal question: Can democracy and Islam cohere? Addressing Wilayat al-Faqih, or rule by the jurisprudent, the theory upon which the Islamic Republic was constructed, he asserts that the system upholds both individual and communal rights, and provides scope for citizens to express their interests. Moussawi draws on the history and theological underpinnings of Shia Islam to argue that in today's Iran, politics and religion are neither rigid nor in diametric opposition."-- Provided by publisher