Concepts of Goverment in the

Islamic and the Western Theory

(PL07 Group 6) Presented on 27 April 2015
Presented by:
Tan Ping Quan
Lee Qi Yong
Chung Kwok Whee (leader)
Najihah bt Nazeer Ahamad
Ahmad Fuad Bin Ahmad Zalaini

Introduction: What is a goverment?

Theory in
governance

Western

peoples sovereignty that makes

the laws

Law originated from God

lead a life in accordance

with ibada and hisba

Universal Declaration of Human

Rights, proclaimed by the
General Assembly.

Defined in 2nd century by the

Roman Jurisconsult Gaius: "Law
is what the people prescribes
and establishes"

Islamic

application of Syariah

judiciary and executive

power limited

Legal Theory

Purpose of
Government

According to American Founding Father or third

President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson:

Government exists for the interests of the

governed, not for the governors.

The care of human life and happiness, and not

their destruction, is the first and only legitimate
object of good government.

 National Identity
The role of government is to protect and uphold the
national identity of its nation.

Representation
In order to protect the interest of the country, the
government enters into bilateral trade agreements,
negotiations and treaties with the governments of other
countries.

Defense
The governments create this system to defend the
countries against its enemies.

Social Welfare
Purposely introduce the social welfare programs to protect
and fulfill the interests of the minorities.

 Infrastructure
Responsible to provide good infrastructure and provide
schools and educational institutions to the citizens in
order to develop the country.

Upholding Fundamental Human Rights

Purpose of government is to uphold the fundamental
human rights, most importantly, the freedom of
thought, freedom to determine own destiny, and the
right to pursue happiness.

Maintaining
Peace
Through
Enforcement of Law and Order
Needs to enforce the law and order to maintain the
harmony and peace in the country.

 Protecting
Nation

the

Sovereignty

of

the

Must build the defense forces to protect its nation and

economic interests.

Implementing
Reform

Economic

&

Social

One of the purpose of government is to create laws

that achieve economic and social reform.

Collecting Taxes
Another prime purpose of government is collecting the
taxes.

Maintain

International

Diplomatic

WESTERN CONCEPT OF GOVERNMENT IN

THE PAST
Forms of Government looked on where the authority located:
One people, few people or all the people.
Plato in his Politics describe three forms of government in a good
or corrupted manner.

WESTERN CONCEPT OF GOVERNMENT NOWADAYS

According to David Easton in the systems

approach, the political system consists of all those

institution, process and interactions through which
values are authoritatively allocated in the society.

CONCEPT OF GOVERNMENT IN
WESTERN THEORY
Conservatism

Socialism

Concept of government which

a system of government which

being in the favor in tradition

in the sense of religion,
cultural and custom.
Christian conservative, Pat

Robertson: government
should ensure the people hold
traditional American value.

owned and manage the

property and most nature
resources and the means of
production and distribution of
goods administered
democratically by the
government.
For example, socialism in China.

CONCEPT OF GOVERNMENT IN
WESTERN THEORY
Liberalism

Communism

theories that centers on the

type of egalitarian society with

values of individual liberty,

equality, economic freedom,
limited and democratic
government and the rule of
law as the purpose of
government.
For example, United

States,Sweden

no state, no private property and

no social class and all property is
owned by the community as
whole and all people enjoy equal
social, economic status.
Example: Chinese Communism,

Maoism
Great Cultural Revolution 1966

CONCEPT OF GOVERNMENT IN
WESTERN THEORY
Federalism
a system of government in which sovereignty is constitutionally

divided between a central governing authority and constituent

political units like state or provinces
Separation of Power
United states, Australia

The Concept Of Government In

Islam

TAWHID
Tawhidmeans

that onlyAllahis the

Creator, Sustainer and Master of the
universe.

the

aim and purpose of our existence

or to set the limits of our authority;
nor is anyone else entitled to make
these decisions for us.

RISALAT
the
the

law ofAllahis known asRisalat.

Book in which Allahhas set out His

law (Al-Quran) and the authoritative
interpretation and exemplification of the
Book by the Prophet (As-Sunnah).

KHILAFAT
According

to the Arabic lexicon, it means

representation.

the

powers delegated to him byAllah, he is

required to exercise hisAllah-given authority
in this world within the limits prescribed
byAllah.

Brief comparison between

Islamic and Western Concept
Islamic State

Western Concept
The minister/ king /
president is the head of
state or government but not
necessarily the head of
religion and the military.

Caliph as the head of

state, the government,
the Islamic religion, and
the commander of the
military.

The caliph is elected by

the discussion of the
circle of Ulama. ( Shura)

Represents a political party

Not necessarily democratic,
there are chances of
corruption in the process.

Conclusion
Maintain

order
Defend society
Good of the people