Reason, Deliberation, and Democracy in Divided Societies: Perspectives from the Jafari School of Thought

Abstract

In this article I argue that because of its emphasis on the use of reason, the Jafari Islamic school of thought is not only compatible with, but even promotes certain forms of deliberative democracy. I particularly focus on how this characteristic offers a valuable conceptual tool to promote peace and justice in deeply divided societies. My argument is grounded in traditional Shia theology and history but develops a political framework embedded within contemporary political theory. I distinguish this democratic political framework from the theocratic model of Wilayat-ul-Faqih, the political system currently being applied in Iran, and argue that an emphasis on rational argumentation opens a path towards reconciliation between Islamic principles and democracy. I analyse the potential benefits of deliberative democracy for Shias in both Middle Eastern societies and the West.

Deliberative Mini-publics as a Partial Antidote to Authoritarian Information Strategies

“…The approach presented in this essay explores the issue of the quality of policy information in deliberation under authoritarian rule more extensively than have previous studies (e.g., Dryzek, 2009;He, 2006b;Pirsoul, 2017;Saito, 2008). For example, the essay explores that issue in relation to a wider range of authoritarian and proto-authoritarian contexts than have previous interventions, and with reference to both contemporary (Bolonyai & Campolong, 2017;Ferguson, 2014;Leib & He, 2006;Pirsoul, 2017;Zhou, 2012) and historical examples (e.g., Bolton, 2012;Ekiert & Kubik, 1999;Habermas, 1989;Payerhin & Zirakzadeh, 2006).…”

“…The relationship between deliberation and authoritarianism has been addressed by numerous scholars (e.g., He, 2014;He & Warren, 2011Leib & He, 2006;Pirsoul, 2017;Saito, 2008;Zhou, 2012), several of whom have discussed the role of information. Some of this literature emphasizes the capacity of deliberative information to foster learning.…”

“…For Dong and Shi (2006), information is a focus of the Chinese citizen-deliberation forums called "Democratic Talk in All Sincerity" (p. 218), which enable citizens to gather policy information from officials and allow officials to collect accurate information about public opinion on issues and policies. Pirsoul (2017) argues that, if practices of public deliberation were permitted in Middle-Eastern authoritarian states, "[t]his epistemic value" of deliberation could improve public understanding of stigmatized minority groups, such as Shias, and undermine those regimes' divisive policy frames (p. 17). For Saito (2008), access to policy information during Ugandan local-council deliberations can foster the development of citizens' "civic values" and encourage the fashioning of "collective solutions" to policy problems (p. 177).…”

“…These insights could also encourage citizens to develop greater tolerance for, and grant legitimacy to, others' beliefs, attitudes, and values, and so promote social harmony (Dryzek & Niemeyer, 2006;Gutmann & Thompson, 1996). Thus, deliberative policy information featuring de-polarizing frames could thwart to some extent the divisive effects of authoritarian policy frames (Dryzek, 2009;Pirsoul, 2017).…”

Recognition and Deliberation: A Deliberative Corrective to Liberal Multicultural Policies

“…Rational argumentation and deliberation is a feature of some Islamic school of thoughts, for example(Pirsoul, 2017).…”