Ultimate Sovereignty and the Flexibility of the Islamic Caliphate/Democracy

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-322
Author(s):  
Mujtaba Isani
Keyword(s):  
Political Thought ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Popular Sovereignty ◽  
The Public ◽  
Islamic Political Thought ◽  
Book Covers ◽  
Public Views ◽  
Modern Era ◽  
Practical Implications

Abstract March’s exceptional book profoundly deals with the ideas of popular sovereignty and the Caliphate in modern Islamic political thought. While this book covers the concept of popular sovereignty in quite detail, March’s portrayal fails to convince the reader whether or not Islamic democracies are possible as a result. Based on previous work on medieval Islamic political thought and public attitudes towards the Caliphate, I argue that conceptions of Islamic government have differed according to context, place and time, and in the modern era the public views the Caliphate as a vehicle for justice and welfare. This implies that Islamic government can still be broadly based on the principles of modern Islamic political thought while the exact institutional configurations may still be able to differ according to place, time and context. In conclusion, while March’s book carefully synthesizes the theoretical debates, it might not have far-reaching practical implications for Islamic democracy.

scholarly journals Chinese views on nuclear weapons: Evidence from an online survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 205316802110328
Author(s):  
Naomi Egel ◽  
R. Lincoln Hines
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Weapons ◽  
Text Analysis ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
The Public ◽  
Self Defense ◽  
Public Views ◽  
Chinese Public

What are Chinese public attitudes regarding nuclear weapons? Although scholars have studied Chinese elites’ views on nuclear weapons, surprisingly little is known about the views of China’s public. To understand Chinese public views on nuclear weapons, we conduct an online survey ( N = 1066) of Chinese respondents. This is, to our knowledge, the first survey of Chinese public attitudes towards nuclear weapons. We find that although Chinese citizens view the possession of nuclear weapons as important for their country’s security, they strongly oppose the use of nuclear weapons under any circumstances. We also provide respondents an opportunity to describe their views on nuclear weapons in their own words. Using computer-assisted text analysis, we assess patterns in these open-ended responses and compare across age groups. We find that younger respondents emphasize non-material factors such as having a greater voice internationally, whereas older respondents emphasize self-defense. Overall, this analysis sheds light on the public attitudes that may shape China’s evolving approach to nuclear weapons.

scholarly journals “Giving something back”: A systematic review and ethical enquiry into public views on the use of patient data for research in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Stockdale ◽  
Jackie Cassell ◽  
Elizabeth Ford
Keyword(s):  
Common Good ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Patient Data ◽  
Service Planning ◽  
Biomedical Ethics ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Views

Background: Use of patients’ medical data for secondary purposes such as health research, audit, and service planning is well established in the UK. However, the governance environment, as well as public understanding about this work, have lagged behind. We aimed to systematically review the literature on UK and Irish public views of patient data used in research, critically analysing such views though an established biomedical ethics framework, to draw out potential strategies for future good practice guidance and inform ethical and privacy debates.Methods: We searched three databases using terms such as patient, public, opinion, and electronic health records. Empirical studies were eligible for inclusion if they surveyed healthcare users, patients or the public in UK and Ireland and examined attitudes, opinions or beliefs about the use of patient data for medical research. Results were synthesised into broad themes using a framework analysis.Results: Out of 13,492 papers and reports screened, 20 papers or reports were eligible. While there was a widespread willingness to share patient data for research for the common good, this very rarely led to unqualified support. The public expressed two generalised concerns about the potential risks to their privacy. The first of these concerns related to a party’s competence in keeping data secure, while the second was associated with the motivation a party might have to use the data.Conclusions: The public evaluates trustworthiness of research organisations by assessing their competence in data-handling and motivation for accessing the data. Public attitudes around data-sharing exemplified several principles which are also widely accepted in biomedical ethics. This provides a framework for understanding public attitudes, which should be considered in the development in any guidance for regulators and data custodians. We propose four salient questions which decision makers should address when evaluating proposals for the secondary use of data

scholarly journals Public Attitudes toward Biobanking of Human Biological Material for Research Purposes: A Literature Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 2209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Domaradzki ◽  
Pawlikowski
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Biological Material ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Social Attitudes ◽  
Public Knowledge ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Past ◽  
Willingness To Donate ◽  
Public Views ◽  
Human Biological Material

Background: During the past few decades there has been a growing interest on the part of many governments in the creation of biobanks. Nevertheless, this would be impossible without participation of many donors who offer samples of their biological material for scientific research. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the existing research on social attitudes towards biobanking. Material and Methods: A literature search was conducted in the database of MEDLINE (PubMed). 61 papers were included in the analysis. The retrieved articles were assessed using a thematic analysis. Results: Eight main themes were identified: (1) public knowledge about biobanks, (2) public views on biobanking, (3) willingness to donate, (4) donors’ motivations, (5) perceived benefits and risks of biobanking, (6) preferred type of consent, (7) trust toward biobanks, and (8) demographic characteristics of potential donors. Conclusions: Although the public lacks knowledge about biobanking, many individuals declare willingness to donate. Their will is influenced by: their knowledge about biobanking, the type of donated tissue, research purpose, concerns over the safety of the data, preferred type of consent, and trust towards biobanks.

scholarly journals DAKWAH KEKUASAAN DALAM AL-QUR’AN

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-68
Author(s):  
Syamsul Yakin
Keyword(s):  
Political Thought ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Political System ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Analytical Study ◽  
Analysis Approach ◽  
Empirical Reality ◽  
Islamic Political Thought ◽  
Modern Era

AbstractThis paper describes an analytical study of the principles of the mission of power (dakwah-kekuasaan) in Islamic political thought originating from the al-Quran. The description of the principles of the mission of power is intended to provide a conceptual-philosophical and implementative practical description in the al-Quran. Analyzing qualitative data and using a critical-analysis approach, this paper shows that the verses of the Qur'an do not determine a particular system and form regarding social and state life in Islam, but only the principles or basics. Nevertheless, from these principles can be developed a certain system of government and political system that is most suitable in this modern era. Of course by considering the ideals of religious teachings and the empirical reality of a country.  AbstrakTulisan ini mendeskripsikan kajian analisis terhadap prinsip-prinsip dakwah kekuasaan dalam pemikiran politik Islam yang bersumber dari al-Qur’an. Uraian mengenai prinsip-prinsip dakwah kekuasaan dimaksudkan untuk memberikan gambaran secara konsepsional-filosofis dan praksis implementatif dalam al-Quran. Dengan menganalisis data kualitatif dan menggunakan pendekatan analisis-kritis, tulisan ini menunjukkan bahwa ayat-ayat al-Qur’an tidak menentukan sistem dan bentuk tertentu mengenai kehidupan bermasyarakat dan bernegara dalam Islam, melainkan hanya prinsip-prinsip atau dasar-dasarnya saja. Kendati begitu, dari prinsip-prinsip itu dapat dikembangkan suatu sistem pemerintahan dan sistem politik tertentu yang paling sesuai di era modern ini. Tentu dengan mempertimbangkan antara idealitas ajaran agama dan realitas empirik suatu negara.

Public attitudes towards the employment of ex-offenders with a disability

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Darakai ◽  
Andrew Day ◽  
Joe Graffam
Keyword(s):  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Attitudes ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Disabled ◽  
History Of ◽  
Employment Needs ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Ex-prisoners often face significant challenges in their efforts to find meaningful and stable work, undermining their chances of successful reintegration back into the community. These problems are likely to be compounded for those who have an intellectual disability (ID), given evidence that the disabled generally experience high levels of discrimination when applying for and maintaining jobs. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether members of the public hold different attitudes and expectations towards the employment of ex-offenders who have an ID and a history of criminal offending. Design/methodology/approach Samples of 642 participants, recruited via social media, were presented with vignettes, and then completed a short survey designed to measure their attitudes and expectations towards the employment of ex-offenders. Findings Whilst the presence of a mild ID did not significantly affect community attitudes towards ex-offender employment, it did change expectations about employment outcomes. Research limitations/implications It appears that ex-offenders are perceived as a homogenous group of people, despite actual and substantial differences existing within this population. Practical implications There is a need to actively educate the community about differences between subgroups of ex-offenders in relation to the employment needs of those with an ID. Social implications The social inclusion of ex-offenders with an ID lies at the heart of any effective and progressive criminal justice policy. Originality/value This is one of the only studies that has examined public attitudes towards this group.

US public views toward biosocial risk factors for criminality: a brief report

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 294-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen M. Berryessa
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Social Risk ◽  
Social Risk Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Us ◽  
Public Views ◽  
Lay Public ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present preliminary survey data measuring attitudes of members of the US public on the importance, existence, and potential legal use of biological risk factors for criminality. Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected from an online sample of US public in conjunction with an experiment not included in this report. Findings Data suggest that the public generally agrees that there are certain biological characteristics that make one more likely to exhibit criminality. The public does not appear to agree on whether or not this type of evidence should be allowed in court, but the large majority of respondents were worried about its potential misuse. Practical implications Social risk factors were generally viewed by respondents as more important to explaining criminality, suggesting that sociological views of crime may be still more prevalent in the lay public. Worries about biosocial risk factor evidence being misused in court have been previously discussed in academic literature, but the public also appears to share these concerns. The public especially worries that this kind of evidence could be used to incorrectly excuse an offender’s behavior, showing that they may be weary of this evidence in court as potential jurors. Attitudes of many members of the public on these issues may be affected by academic disagreement in the criminology community on the importance of these issues. Originality/value Scholars have emphasized the need for discussion on how the US public views biosocial risk factors for criminality. As there are no known data of this type, these data are the first of their kind.

Bentham

2019 ◽  
pp. 283-302
Author(s):  
Gerald J. Postema
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Political Thought ◽  
Public Reason ◽  
Legal Theory ◽  
Public Deliberation ◽  
Systematic Theory ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Reasoning ◽  
Critical Task ◽  
Modern Era

Bentham was one of the first, and among the most thorough, theorists of publicity of the modern era. Publicity is a pervasive theme running through all of Bentham’s moral, political, and legal theory; it is foundational to his thought. Bentham constructed a systematic theory of public reason, integrating utility and law into a complex framework for public reasoning, with a detailed architecture of public space, and constructing a network of key institutions and incentives for public accountability and public deliberation. He designed these institutions to secure the transparency of every exercise of ruling power and to encourage, educate, and empower the public in their critical task of holding officials to their responsibilities under the law. This chapter brings together the most important occurrences of the idea of publicity, documenting Bentham’s reliance on it throughout his career and demonstrating its centrality to his moral, legal, and political thought.

scholarly journals The Public Opinion In The Modern History Of Political Thought According To Jurgen Habermas

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 234
Author(s):  
Enkelejda Hamzaj
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
French Revolution ◽  
Political Thought ◽  
The Other ◽  
History Of Political Thought ◽  
The Public ◽  
Political Orientations ◽  
History Of ◽  
Modern Era

Is not easy to make in a few lines a presentation of Habermas's thinking regarding to public opinion in the history of political thought. One of the most interesting sections of all habermasian discussion – developed not only in his opera History and critiques of public opinion but in others too – lies in clarifying how the public opinion concept was evaluate by philosophers of different political orientations during the modern era. According to Habermas, to do this analysis should go under the tracks of Hobbes, Rousseau, Kant and Hegel. Some of these authors appreciate and value the role of the public opinion while others do not believe in its function. It is not a coincidence that the"classic" treatment of the public opinion concept culminates with Kant, the author, who is considered one of the greatest luminaries in Europe. While we find in Hegel a devaluation of the public opinion, compared with the science, and this depreciation is parallel to the depreciation of the civil society against the State. On the other side we will see other contemporary authors analysis regarding public opinion, like Nicola Matteuci and Giuseppe Bedeschi and their thoughts compared with Habermas thoughts. To understand the function of public opinion I will show its specific characteristics throughout history from the Greek polis up to the French Revolution and the creation of the bourgeoisie class.

Attitudes

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieter Schmidt ◽  
Simon Shorvon
Keyword(s):  
Medical Condition ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Racial Hygiene ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Recent Past ◽  
The Public ◽  
History Of ◽  
History Of Epilepsy ◽  
Modern Era

It could be argued that the greatest advance in the field of epilepsy in the modern era has nothing to do with medicine, is not electroencephalography or magnetic resonance imaging or molecular biology, or the development of new drugs, but is in fact the change in societal attitudes towards those with epilepsy. Epilepsy is not only, or even most importantly, just a medical condition, but it is also something that happens to people, and it can destroy lives and livelihoods. There has been a welcome sea change in our opinions in recent years in the way people with epilepsy are treated and are regarded. All is not perfect by any means, and stigma is still present, but it surely is much less than it was in the early periods of the modern history of epilepsy, at least in Western cultures. This chapter charts the course of changing societal attitudes since 1860, through the dire years of theories of degeneration, eugenics, positivist criminology, and racial hygiene. There has been a transformation of epilepsy from the moral to the medical domain, from ‘badness’ to ‘sickness’, and this has certainly contributed to decreasing stigmatisation and deprecation. Much needs still to be done, and prejudice can flare up quickly; but nevertheless the public attitudes to epilepsy are far better now than in even the recent past.

Public Attitudes towards Migration in Scotland: Exceptionality and Possible Policy Implications

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
David McCollum ◽  
Beata Nowok ◽  
Scott Tindal
Keyword(s):  
Immigration Policy ◽  
General Public ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Public Realm ◽  
The Public ◽  
Attitudinal Data ◽  
Scottish Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Public Views

Scotland is often perceived as having a relatively welcoming view towards migrants and is presented as such by its politicians and policymakers. This positioning sits within a broader political context in which the Scottish Government favours immigration but has limited policy levers with which to directly influence it. This paper seeks to scrutinise the supposition that Scotland can be seen as ‘different’ to the rest of the UK in terms of how immigration is perceived in the public realm. This is pursued through the analysis of attitudinal data to explore public views on migration, the potential drivers of these perceptions and their implications for future immigration policy in the context of the 2014 referendum on the constitutional future of Scotland. The research finds that the public in Scotland does hold relatively positive views towards migration and that this could be related to Scotland's particular experience of population in and out movements. However there is evidence of some (growing) hostility towards migration on the part of the general public in Scotland and a possible link between nationalist leanings and opposition to ‘Others’. These findings have significant implications for debates regarding possible future immigration policies in Scotland.

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