Suchergebnisse

1. Constitutional conversations : alternative models for the challenge of civilizational conflict -- 2. Western constitutionalism : universal norms or contingent cultural concepts -- 3. From Medina to Runnymede : comparing the foundational legacies of the constitution of Medina and the Magna Carta -- 4. Comparing constitutionalisms : is there an Islamic constitutionalism? -- 5. Constitutional conversations : the fusing of political tradition in Khayr al-Din al-Tunisi's The surest path -- 6. The Arab Spring : constitutional thought in contested political space, questions and conclusions.

Are Western and Islamic political and constitutional ideas truly predestined for civilizational clash? In order to understand this controversy 'The Concert of Civilizations' begins by deriving and redefining a definition of constitutionalism that is suitable for comparative, cross-cultural analysis. The rule of law, reflection of national character, and the clear delineation and limitation of governmental power are used as lenses through which thinkers like Cicero, Montesquieu, and the authors of The Federalist Papers can be read alongside al-Farabi, ibn Khaldun, and the Ottoman Tanzimat decrees. Bridging the civilizational divide is a chapter comparing the Magna Carta with Muhammad'sConstitution of Medina, as both documents can be seen as foundational within their traditions. For the first time in political theory, this text also provides a sustained, detailed analysis of Khayr al-Din al-Tunisi's book The Surest Path, which explains his fusion of Muslim and Western ideas in his writing of Tunisia's first modern constitution, which is also the first constitution for a majority-Muslim state. Finally, the book discusses the Arab Spring through a brief overview of the revolutions in Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia, and offers some early thoughts about Tunisia's uniquely successful revolution.--

Identifying an Islamic constitutional tradition can be controversial due to orthodox Muslim understandings of God's sovereignty and agency. Further complicating such discussions are arguments surrounding the compatibility of Muslim traditions with international norms alternately referred to as 'Western' or 'universal', depending upon one's political preferences. This comparative examination of Muhammad's 'Constitution of Medina' and the Magna Carta argues that where there is assent and accountability, there is also agency. Just as the relatively spare discussion of rights in the Magna Carta laid the foundations of what would become a far more expansive constitutional tradition in the West, the very existence of Muhammad's covenant along with the fact that this covenant details specific tribal duties with corresponding rights to societal goods and a vision of the rule of law, indicates that Islamic states can indeed codify and negotiate the challenges of governing, even within the framework of a transcendent law (sharīʿa). Assessing the unique constitutional characteristics of the 'Constitution of Medina' and the Magna Carta will reveal that each of these documents, while not properly constitutions, are concerned with fundamental constitutional issues that have surprising resonance in the aftermath of the Arab Revolutions of 2011 and in other redistributions of international power.

Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- WAYS IN TO THE TEXT -- Who WereAlexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay? -- What Does The Federalist Papers Say? -- Why Does The Federalist Papers Matter? -- SECTION 1: INFLUENCES -- Module 1: The Author and the Historical Context -- Module 2: Academic Context -- Module 3: The Problem -- Module 4: The Author's Contribution -- SECTION 2: IDEAS -- Module 5: Main Ideas -- Module 6: Secondary Ideas -- Module 7: Achievement -- Module 8: Place in the Author's Work -- SECTION 3: IMPACT -- Module 9: The First Responses -- Module 10: The Evolving Debate -- Module 11: Impact and Influence Today -- Module 12: Where Next? -- Glossary of Terms -- People Mentioned in the Text -- Works Cited

Cover Page -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Contents -- Ways in to the Text -- Who was John Locke? -- What Does Two Treatises Say? -- Why Does Two Treatises Matter? -- Section 1: Influences -- Module 1: The Author and The Historical Context -- Module 2: Academic Context -- Module 3: The Problem -- Module 4: The Author's Contribution -- Section 2: Ideas -- Module 5: Main Ideas -- Module 6: Secondary Ideas -- Module 7: Achievement -- Module 8: Place in the Author's Work -- Section 3: Impact -- Module 9: The First Responses -- Module 10: The Evolving Debate -- Module 11: Impact and Influence Today -- Module 12: Where Next? -- Glossary of Terms -- People Mentioned in the Text -- Works Cited

Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- WAYS IN TO THE TEXT -- Who Was Thomas Hobbes? -- What Does Leviathan Say? -- Why Does Leviathan Matter? -- SECTION 1: INFLUENCES -- Module 1: The Author and the Historical Context -- Module 2: Academic Context -- Module 3: The Problem -- Module 4: The Author's Contribution -- SECTION 2: IDEAS -- Module 5: Main Ideas -- Module 6: Secondary Ideas -- Module 7: Achievement -- Module 8: Place in the Author's Work -- SECTION 3: IMPACT -- Module 9: The First Responses -- Module 10: The Evolving Debate -- Module 11: Impact and Influence Today -- Module 12: Where Next? -- Glossary of Terms -- People Mentioned in the Text -- Works Cited

"John Locke';s 1689 Two Treatises of Government is a key text in the history of political theory--one whose influence remains marked on modern politics, the American Constitution and beyond. Two Treatises is more than a seminal work on the nature and legitimacy of government. It is also a masterclass in two key critical thinking skills: evaluation and reasoning. Evaluation is all about judging and assessing arguments--asking how relevant, adequate and convincing they are. And, at its heart, the first of Locke';s two treatises is pure evaluation: a long and incisive dissection of a treatise on the arguments in Sir Robert Filmer';s Patriarcha. Filmer';s book had defended the doctrine that kings were absolute rulers whose legitimacy came directly from God (the so-called "divine right of kings"), basing his arguments on Biblical explanation's and evidence. Locke carefully rebutted Filmer';s arguments, on their own terms, by reference to both the Bible and to recorded history. Finding Filmer';s evidence either to be insufficient or unacceptable, Locke concluded that his argument for patriarchy was weak to the point of invalidity. In the second of Locke';s treatises, the author goes on to construct his own argument concerning the sources of legitimate power, and the nature of that power. Carefully building his own argument from a logical consideration of man in "the state of nature", Locke creates a convincing argument that civilised society should be based on natural human rights and the social contract."--Provided by publisher.

"John Rawls's A Theory of Justice is one of the most influential works of legal and political theory published since the Second World War. It provides a memorably well-constructed and sustained argument in favour of a new (social contract) version of the meaning of social justice. In setting out this argument, Rawls aims to construct a viable, systematic doctine designed to ensure that the process of maximizing good is both conscious and coherent--and the result is a work that foregrounds the critical thinking skill of reasoning. Rawls's focus falls equally on discussions of the failings of existing systems--not least among them Marxism and Utilitarianism--and on explanation of his own new theory of justice. By illustrating how he arrived at his conclusions, and by clearly explaining and justifying his own liberal, pluralist values, Rawls is able to produce a well structured argument that is fully focused on the need to persuade. Rawls explicitly explains his goals. He discusses other ways of conceptualizing a just society and deals with counter-arguments by explaining his objections to them. Then, carefully and methodically, he defines a number of concepts and tools, "thought experiments," that help the reader to follow his reasoning and test his ideas. Rawls's hypothesis is that his ideas about justice can be universally applied: they can be accepted as rational in any society at any time. "--Provided by publisher.

Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- WAYS IN TO THE TEXT -- Who Was John Rawls? -- What Does A Theory of Justice Say? -- Why Does A Theory of Justice Matter? -- SECTION 1: INFLUENCES -- Module 1: The Author and the Historical Context -- Module 2: Academic Context -- Module 3: The Problem -- Module 4: The Author's Contribution -- SECTION 2: IDEAS -- Module 5: Main Ideas -- Module 6: Secondary Ideas -- Module 7: Achievement -- Module 8: Place in the Author's Work -- SECTION 3: IMPACT -- Module 9: The First Responses -- Module 10: The Evolving Debate -- Module 11: Impact and Influence Today -- Module 12: Where Next? -- Glossary of Terms -- People Mentioned in the Text -- Works Cited