Gutmann, Jerg; Voigt, Stefan --- "The rule of law and Islam" [2018] ELECD 620; in May, Christopher; Winchester, Adam (eds), "Handbook on the Rule of Law" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2018) 345

Book Title: Handbook on the Rule of Law

Editor(s): May, Christopher; Winchester, Adam

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN: 9781786432438

Section: Chapter 21

Section Title: The rule of law and Islam

Author(s): Gutmann, Jerg; Voigt, Stefan

Number of pages: 12

Abstract/Description:

Islam, and political Islam in particular, has been stylized in the West as incompatible with some fundamental norms of Western democracies. In this chapter, we ask whether political Islam is compatible with the rule of law. We argue that Muslims who prefer a traditionalist interpretation of Islam are unlikely to appreciate the rule of law. We further discuss specific areas in which Muslim societies might struggle with implementing the rule of law and discuss empirical evidence on the realization of the rule of law in Muslim and non-Muslim countries.