Constitutional Struggles in the Muslim World

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Constitutional Struggles in the Muslim World

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About this course: Learn what motivates the restive Muslim youth from Tunis to Tehran, what political positions Islamists from Mali to Chechnya are fighting for, where the seeming obsession with Islamic law comes from, where the secularists have vanished to, and whether it makes sense to speak of an Islamic state. Since 2009 there has been a renewed wave of popular unrest sweeping throughout much of the Muslim world. Secular, but generally repressive and inefficient autocracies have come under pressure or been swept aside entirely. At the same, the various Islamic Republics have not fared much better, but been convulsed by internal unrest, economic and social decline. Throughout the Mus…

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When you enroll for courses through Coursera you get to choose for a paid plan or for a free plan

  • Free plan: No certicification and/or audit only. You will have access to all course materials except graded items.
  • Paid plan: Commit to earning a Certificate—it's a trusted, shareable way to showcase your new skills.

About this course: Learn what motivates the restive Muslim youth from Tunis to Tehran, what political positions Islamists from Mali to Chechnya are fighting for, where the seeming obsession with Islamic law comes from, where the secularists have vanished to, and whether it makes sense to speak of an Islamic state. Since 2009 there has been a renewed wave of popular unrest sweeping throughout much of the Muslim world. Secular, but generally repressive and inefficient autocracies have come under pressure or been swept aside entirely. At the same, the various Islamic Republics have not fared much better, but been convulsed by internal unrest, economic and social decline. Throughout the Muslim lands, existing constitutional arrangements are being challenged, often very violently. This course is a survey of the constitutional ideas and institutions that have developed since the mid 19th century throughout predominantly Muslim countries, but its focus will lie on the actors that have dominated this discourse and shaped its outcomes. We will look at the large body of classical writings on the Islamic state only in so far as it is necessary to understand the contemporary debate, but concentrate on the legal and political developments of the 20th and 21st centuries. Three common themes will characterise the course:  We privilege the study of the legal and social reality and seek to highlight where it is at odds with dogmatic stipulations, be they religious or constitutional.  We seek to illustrate the practical tensions posed by limited administrative capabilities and political legitimacy that resulted from the incomplete reception of modern bureaucratic statehood.  We seek to examine how popular dissatisfaction with the practical performance of Muslim governments has fuelled demands for greater accountability under the guise of cultural authenticity.  Ultimately, the course aims to equip participants to better understand Muslim contemporary discourse about the res publica, better contextualise the demands for religious law in public life, and to better ascertain the theoretical and practical feasibility of postulated religious alternatives to the still-dominant secular model of governance.

Created by:  University of Copenhagen
  • Taught by:  Dr. Ebrahim Afsah, Associate Professor

    Faculty of Law
Commitment 8-12 hours/week Language English, Subtitles: Spanish, French How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.8 stars Average User Rating 4.8See what learners said Coursework

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University of Copenhagen The University of Copenhagen is the oldest University in Denmark - founded in 1479, and with over 38,000 students and more than 9,000 employees. The purpose of the University is to conduct research and provide education to the highest academic level. Based in Denmark's capital city it is one of the top research institutions in Europe.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Overview: Presenting the Course



This week, we try to give you an overview of the themes and principles that we will focus on during the course. We look at the current state of the countries in the region and present the role of religion, the challenge of modernity and the different responses to modernity, which we will revisit thematically during the next weeks. It is highly recommend to read my article "Contested Universalities of International Law. Islam’s Struggle with Modernity" in this week's readings to gain a better understanding of the argument put forward throughout the course.


7 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Readings Week 1: Presenting the Course
  2. Video: 1.1 Welcome and Introduction
  3. Video: 1.2 Presenting the Region
  4. Video: 1.3 Early Modern History
  5. Video: 1.4 Unresolved Challenge of Modernity
  6. Video: 1.5 Four Models of Adaptation
  7. Video: 1.6 Indicators of Relative Failure
  8. Video: 1.7 Role of Religion and Islamic Law

Graded: End of Week 1 Quiz

WEEK 2


Ottoman Empire and Modern Turkey



This week, we look at Turkey and at the history of the Ottoman Empire, whose legacy continues to influence many countries in the region today. Turkey occupies a special place due to its explicit constitutional and social commitment to secularism and a self-conscious emulation of the Western model. Keep the four models of adaptation in mind while watching the lectures of this week as well as the next ones.


6 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Readings week 2: Ottoman Empire and Modern Turkey
  2. Video: 2.1 People, Place and Patterns
  3. Video: 2.2 Ottoman History
  4. Video: 2.3 Ottoman Reform: Tanzimat and Majallah
  5. Video: 2.4 Creation of the Republic
  6. Video: 2.5 Kemalism and its Problems
  7. Video: 2.6 Westernisation and Islamism

Graded: End of Week 2 Quiz

WEEK 3


Egypt and Maghreb



This week concerns the region where the so-called "Arab Spring" originated: North Africa. We will focus especially on Egypt due to its historical importance, relative size and the impact its politics have had on other Arab and Muslim countries. Following the Secularism/Emulation model exemplified by Turkey last week, this region represents the second broad approach to modernity, namely Religious Modernism/Reform.


7 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Readings Week 3: Egypt and Maghreb
  2. Video: 3.1 People, Place and Patterns Egypt
  3. Video: 3.2 People, Places and Patterns Maghreb
  4. Video: 3.3 Ottoman and Colonial History
  5. Video: 3.4 Independence
  6. Video: 3.5 Modernisation and Reform
  7. Video: 3.6 Nasserism and its Problems
  8. Video: 3.7 Westernisation and Islamism

Graded: End of Week 3 Quiz

WEEK 4


Saudi Arabia & The Gulf



This week we will look at the Gulf Monarchies, especially at Saudi Arabia. The impact of essentially free oil income defines the social and governmental structure of this sub-region, so we will focus on the character of so-called rentier economies and their socio-political impact. These countries represent the third broad approach to modernity, namely Traditionalism, that is the notion that there is no need to change inherited socio-political structures.


7 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Readings Week 4: Saudi Arabia and The Gulf
  2. Video: 4.1 People, Place and Patterns
  3. Video: 4.2 Ottoman and Colonial History
  4. Video: 4.3 Patrimonialism and Religion
  5. Video: 4.4 Rentier Economies and Administration
  6. Video: 4.5 Impact of Rents
  7. Video: 4.6 Paradoxical Alliance
  8. Video: 4.7 Unresolved Contradictions

Graded: End of Week 4 Quiz

WEEK 5


Iran & The Shiites



Iran is the one place where the fundamentalist response to the challenge of modernity has had its longest and most thorough chance of carrying out the promise of Islamist governance. One of the main questions of the week regards the extent to which this promise has been fulfilled. In other words, whether Islamist claims to have a functioning and qualitatively better form of government have been sustainable, or whether the practical challenges of government have led to widespread popular disillusionment.


7 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Readings Week 5: Iran & The Shiites
  2. Video: 5.1 People, Place and Patterns
  3. Video: 5.2 Imperial and Colonial History
  4. Video: 5.3 Constitutional Revolution and Reaction
  5. Video: 5.4 Nationalist Revolution and Reaction
  6. Video: 5.5 Islamic Revolution and Reaction
  7. Video: 5.6 Khomeini's Theory of Velayat-e Faqih
  8. Video: 5.7 Unresolved Contradictions

Graded: IRAN'S BIGGEST PROBLEM

WEEK 6


The Levant (Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq)



This week, even more than throughout the rest of the course, we are dealing with a very topical issue: The Western military invasion of Iraq led to the destruction of its state institutions and brought about the much predicted collapse of social order in that country. In Syria we are witnessing the disintegration of state institutions, caused by internal revolt rather than external attack, but with similarly disastrous humanitarian outcomes. While Jordan has generally managed to avoid being drawn into its neighbours' internal conflicts, Lebanon's fragile political system has shown much greater exposure to neighbouring events, especially in Syria.


7 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Readings Week 6: The Levant
  2. Video: 6.1 Taking Stock and Midway Summary
  3. Video: 6.2 People, Place and Patterns
  4. Video: 6.3 French Mandates
  5. Video: 6.4 British Mandates
  6. Video: 6.5 Order and Fractured Societies
  7. Video: 6.6 Failure of Arab Socialism
  8. Video: 6.7 Unresolved Contradictions

Graded: End of Week 6 Quiz

WEEK 7


Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh



Due to the importance of the Afghan conflict for world politics of the last decade or so, this conflict will be the main focus of this week's lectures. It is a truly interesting story, replete with exotic locales, tales of betrayal and great heroism, and more. This focus regretfully entails that the fascinating story of Bangladesh and Pakistan does not get as much attention as it deserves.


7 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Readings Week 7: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh
  2. Video: 7.1 People, Place and Patterns
  3. Video: 7.2 Colonial History of British India
  4. Video: 7.3 Post-Independence: Pakistan and Bangladesh
  5. Video: 7.4 Afghanistan: Creation of the State and ‘Golden Years’
  6. Video: 7.5 Afghanistan: Jihadi Gangsters
  7. Video: 7.6 Failure of State-Building and Islamisation
  8. Video: 7.7 Unresolved Contradictions

Graded: End of Week 7 Quiz

WEEK 8


Malaysia & Indonesia



This week deals with the very rich historical, ethnic, linguistic and geographic tapestry of the two archipelagic nations of Malaysia and Indonesia. Truly fascinating places and very different from the localities we have so far discussed in the course. We look at both nations before and after their independence and end with a thorough investigation of the challenges they face today. The week's material is sure to be an eye opener to many.


6 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Readings for Week 8: Malaysia and Indonesia
  2. Video: 8.1 People, Place and Patterns
  3. Video: 8.2 Colonial History Malaysia
  4. Video: 8.3 Colonial History Indonesia
  5. Video: 8.4 Post-Independence Malaysia
  6. Video: 8.5 Post-Independence Indonesia
  7. Video: 8.6 Unresolved Contradictions

Graded: End of Week 8 Quiz

WEEK 9


Sub-Saharan Africa



This week, we will look at sub-saharan Africa and the particular challenges faced by Muslim-majority societies there. For obvious reasons, colonialism plays a very large role here and so we will return to many of the same issues already touched upon in earlier classes. But perhaps even more important is the endemic weakness of institutions. For more on those African nations that have successfully broken out of the vicious cycle of weak institutions, endemic poverty, bad governance, and domestic conflict, please see this week's readings.


6 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Reading Week 9: Sub-Saharan Africa
  2. Video: 9.1 People, Place and Patterns
  3. Video: 9.2 Colonial History Muslim Africa
  4. Video: 9.3 Neo-Colonial Legacies
  5. Video: 9.4 Weak States and Institutions
  6. Video: 9.5 Post-Independence Instability
  7. Video: 9.6 Fractured Constitutional Bargains

Graded: PERSISTENCE OF PROBLEMS

WEEK 10


Conclusion and Outlook



This week, we move beyond the geographical focus as we try to tie up some of the loose ends and highlight some of the recurring issues we have studied during the past weeks together. We look at what the different countries have in common, what separates them and at the different kinds of tensions that we have found across the region. At the end of the week, you should have a good understanding of how issues in different countries relate to to each other and of the challenges that the region as a whole is facing today.


7 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Reading: Readings Week 10: Conclusion and Outlook
  2. Video: 10.1 Commonality and Diversity
  3. Video: 10.2 Unity and Friction
  4. Video: 10.3 Minorities
  5. Video: 10.4 Legal and Social Reality
  6. Video: 10.5 Practical Tensions
  7. Video: 10.6 Popular Dissatisfaction
  8. Video: 10.7 Good Bye

Graded: End of Week 10 Quiz
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