Farid Younos. Democratic Imperialism: Islamization vs. Democratization.

• Author: Kaifi, Belal A.
• Position: Book review

Farid Younos. Democratic Imperialism: Islamization vs. Democratization. AuthorHouse, 2008. Hardcover $25.00. 218 Pages.

Democratic Imperialism: Islamization vs. Democratization was passionately and astutely written during a time where chaos in the Middle East is highly prevalent and neo-colonialism is clearly evident. The author challenges the feasibility of implementing a democratic value system in the Middle East and claims that Islamization is the optimum solution for Muslim countries. The book is a revolutionary critical analysis of both Islam and western-democracy and delineates why democracy will not prevail in Islamic countries. Specifically, the author argues that in Muslim countries Islamization fits the culture values of the people, while Democratization not only fit cultural values, it creates division, ethnocracy, and chaos. The author states, "Islamization is a process of reconstruction of Muslim countries according to Islamic law, education, values, and sociopolitical and economic principles" (135). This book poses and clearly answers a compelling question: Are Americans qualified to export and impose their brand of democracy in the Middle East?

According to the author, western democracy is fallible while Islam is infallible. He questions how democracy can be imposed on Muslim countries when democracy leaves so many unanswered questions. He further asserts that each day the American society is faced with debatable questions that the government can not clearly answer. For example, does the government have the right to decide whether a mother can abort her baby or not? Does the government have the right to allow the death penalty? Does the government have the right to allow same-sex marriages? His point is that in a democracy, there is no definite answer to these highly debatable questions which causes chaos, corruption, and confusion within a society. The author uses the current state of Afghanistan (a country where he was born and raised) as an example where democracy has proven to be futile. He believes that there should be a clear answer to all questions in order for the citizens of a country to achieve felicity, happiness, and prosperity (135).

Based on 30 years of Islamic research, the author concludes that Democracy in Muslim countries will not help the society nor will it succeed in a country where 99.9% of the population practices Islam, such as in Afghanistan. He stresses that Islam is not only a religion but a...