Contemporary Political Needs and the Possibility of Graded Reinterpretation of Democracy

One of the most important contemporary political needs is presenting a successful, and, above all, more efficient and widely accepted theory of the state political paradigm in this modern era. In this connection, reinterpretation of democracy based on historical, cultural, religious, philosophical constituent elements of Islamic nations and their identity makes it possible for a Muslim to rethink and use the localized political system, which, at the same time, is of ideal characteristics of the world democracies. In this context, in addition to laying emphasis on the graded concept of democracy, and putting aside the negative elements of western democracy, one can develop their positive characteristics such as the maximal participation of people in governmental affairs, the possibility of levelling criticism against the government, developing freedom of expression, free elections and so on. In the meantime, in the democratic system in question, religious doctrines can be used as a basis or criterion for its value judgement. In this way, religion and its value doctrines, the content of democratic government, and the whole treasure of new human achievements can be used as a way to govern people. Therefore, through looking at Islamic doctrines as well as ShiÝi interpretation, among the most important characteristics of graded and redefined democracy, one can refer to people’s real participation in the process of political decision-making and the gradual disappearance of the gap between people and the ruling system and the equitable distribution of power among people of various classes.