Islamic Civics

Abstract

Talk of civics in a work on world affairs means talk of the modernist citizen, and of the identities that being such a citizen entails. With talk of this kind we enter the politico-social dimension to world affairs, and we articulate the three key analytic languages it represents, namely, nationalism, individualism, and collectivism. Each language is based upon an assumption about human nature. More specifically, nationalism articulates the sense that we are (or in this case, “they” are) essentially bad. Individualism articulates the sense that we (that is, we who prioritize reason as an end in itself ) are essentially calculating. While collectivism articulates the sense that “we” are essentially good. Taken together, these languages highlight nation making, human rights advocacy, the international attempt to install democracy, the esteem afforded constitutions and contracts, the proliferation of social movements, and the growth of a global civil society.