Suchergebnisse

This article explores the development of Islamic democratic thought over the past two centuries. Triggered by the European encroachment on Muslim lands and fueled by a sense of frustration precipitated by centuries of decline and backwardness, democracy continues to be a controversial concept seen by some Islamists as the therapy for Muslim sickness and by others as the illness itself. The main cause of the disagreement has been the definition of the concept: those that defend it see it as a set of procedures aimed at curbing the tendency to abuse political power and those that reject it see it as a philosophy that undermines the Islamic faith and threatens the Islamic way of life. The article argues that, even though the intellectual debate has to a large extent been settled in favour of the defenders of democracy, the main obstacle hindering democratization in Muslim lands continues to be an external one.

Résumé La politique européenne de voisinage peut approfondir le partenariat euro-méditerranéen et aider plus décisivement à la réforme des sociétés du Sud. Mais il faudrait reconnaître le droit au développement comme objectif central, avec les conséquences qui en découlent ; clarifier l'horizon du rapprochement avec l'acquis communautaire ; et que les membres de l'Union acceptent de s'ouvrir dans deux domaines essentiels pour leurs partenaires : les produits agricoles et l'immigration.

The new neighborhood policy of the EU foreshadows a deepening of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. Here, we are attempting to assess the extent to which the European neighborhood policy would be able to respond to the necessities of development & the imperative political reforms facing EU southern partners, as well as its capability of providing some corrections in this process, for example, recognizing & acting on the right to development within a foundation of values & shared principles. On the other hand, the adoption of a strategic approach borrowed from the European economic sphere & pre-membership must also be recommended. Lastly, as a result, aid given at the corresponding level of communal skill & heritage, correlated with the integration of the four liberties (including the movement of people & agricultural products) may contribute to positive progression in neighborhood policy. Adapted from the source document.