Why is the Arab-Muslim World not Democratic? An Outline of a Historical and ‘Serene’ Approach
The neo-conservative thesis and part of the Western right’s response to this question are straightforward: Islam is the root cause. According to them, Muslim culture constitutes the fundamental reason for a “culture” deemed “unfavorable” to human rights and economic development. This article aims to refute this thesis and explores the social, economic, and geographical factors contributing to the divergence between the Western and Arab-Muslim worlds.
Contrary to attributing the West’s development to a naturally democratic and human rights-oriented culture, the author argues that the West indirectly benefited from “accidents” and contingencies. The article seeks to avoid a mere “apology” for Islam as a religion of “love and tolerance” but rather aims for an understanding of internal causes in the Arab-Muslim world’s relative democratic and economic “delay.” I advocate for a critical approach that goes beyond the convenient explanation of colonization, emphasizing the responsibility of local actors. This, I believe, is a profoundly humanist vision.
The approach presented is “deflationary,” setting aside simplistic explanations involving Islam or colonization in favor of a nuanced study rooted in history and economics.
a) Returning to Basics: The “Unique” Nature of the West’s Development
Before exploring why the Arab world may be in a “delay,” the article emphasizes the “exceptional” and singular character of Europe since the Renaissance. Europe’s dominance over much of the world, including Africa, India, China, and America, is attributed to a series of fortunate accidents and contingent events.
The fierce competition among European states catalyzed political, economic, and cultural advances, fostering innovation and encouraging nations to outperform each other. The legal legacy of Roman law shaped Europe’s institutional foundation, providing a stable base for modern legal systems. The intellectual richness stemming from the fusion of Greek and Christian heritage nurtured the European cultural landscape, fostering creativity, reflection, and knowledge exploration.
This is the case of religious wars, which paradoxically contributed to the consolidation of states in Europe. Violent conflicts often acted as catalysts for the construction of modern states, becoming key actors in ensuring civic peace following religious wars. The influence of Protestantism, promoting Bible reading, literacy, critical thinking, and early forms of democratization, also played a role.
OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
Baudry Pierre (March 2, 2024). Why is the Arab-Muslim World not Democratic? An Outline of a Historical and ‘Serene’ Approach. Deciphering international politics - religion, economics and international affairs. Retrieved March 17, 2025 from https://doi.org/10.58079/ve0f