A Theory of Religious Democracy

Is Islam compatible with democracy? Hamid Hadji Haidar analyses the ideals and realities of secular and religious democracies with special emphasis on the post-revolutionary democracy in Iran. One of the few works in English to provide an in-depth exposition of Ayatollah Khomeini’s political thought, the book contains a special section devoted to the question of democracy in a religious state. This important work unravels the mysteries of modern political dynamics in the Islamic world.

Hamid Hadji Haidar has written extensively on Islamic and Western political theories, including Liberalism and Islam: Practical Reconciliation between the Liberal State and Shiite Muslims.

“An outstanding approach thoughtfully integrating philosophy, religion, and political theory, taking the reader beyond simplistic notions of ‘West’ and ‘East’.” Professor Scott Lucas, Birmingham University