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Rethinking the Relationship between Religion and Liberal Democracy: Overcoming the Problems of Secularism in Muslim Societies

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Islam, the State, and Political Authority

Part of the book series: Middle East Today ((MIET))

Abstract

There is a paradox at the core of the debate on Islam and democracy, which democratic theorists have generally ignored. The paradox is that modern liberal democracy requires a form of secularism to sustain itself, yet simultaneously the primary intellectual, cultural, and political resources at the disposal of Muslim democrats are theological. Reconciling this tension is critical to advancing a democratic theory for Muslim societies today.

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Notes

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© 2011 Asma Afsaruddin

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Hashemi, N. (2011). Rethinking the Relationship between Religion and Liberal Democracy: Overcoming the Problems of Secularism in Muslim Societies. In: Afsaruddin, A. (eds) Islam, the State, and Political Authority. Middle East Today. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137002020_10

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