Consultation
Assertion:-
One difficulty in Politics is as to what kind
of "consensus" is expected. I do not think that what I might call the
Robert's Rules of Order approach for decision making is a consensus.
Incidentally those Rules are based on the procedures of the United States House
of Representatives in the late nineteenth century. This approach is the one
where somebody "makes a motion", that is, proposes a decision about
something, then they take a yes-no vote on the motion and if yes gets one more
vote than no it is accepted by assembly.
The problem in meetings I have taken part in
is that the loud and aggressive types tend to crush the modest and thoughtful.
The so-called Delphi method is an attempt to
avoid this by not having meetings and communicating only in writing. It is
slow, but it seems to work.
I do not see much precedent for mutual
consultation in the Sunna. The Hadith about the succession to Umar shows the
"committee" working on a delegation basis. That is, the number of
decision-makers is reduced by some decision-makers delegating their power to
others until only one decision-maker remains. This is a model - but I am not sure
it would work in general.
I suggest that Muslims need to do some work
on this because if they do not have a solid position of their own they will be
pressured to go the Robert's Rules of Order way. Just saying Democracy (means
Robert's) is not Islamic is insufficient. What is Islamic?
Comment:-
As Islam is Surrender to Allah, whose
attributes are Truth, Compassion and Justice, and places its emphasis on Truth,
the emphasis must, therefore, be on Truth, Knowledge and Awareness, though the
other attributes are also important.
The idea that everyone's opinion is equally
valid is rejected. This appears to be the Western idea of the Democratic ideal
- one person one vote. The result is that nnothing good or useful arises except
by the use of means to overcome this. Methods of persuasion and mental
conditioning and enslavement must be used and these are used by unscrupulous
people to further their own power, wealth or prestige. This disables the
population and makes them docile while encouraging greed, lust, rivalry, pride,
vanity, arrogance, ruthlessness, prejudice, and superstition. These
degenerative tendencies are the very reverse of the values Islam tries to
cultivate.
From an Islamic point of view, if the word "Democracy"
is to be used, then it would mean that the vicegerency, autonomy, and
potentialities of all persons are recognised and that ways are adopted to
facilitate the welfare and development of all.
In Islam, people are required to seek truth
and honour those who have a greater amount. It is not the case that they should
follow them blindly, but that they should develop their own understanding for
their own good. This means that the Assemblies that discuss affairs and make
and implement policies should consist of those who are recognised by the people
as wise, virtuous and able people. People putting themselves forward as
candidates for election and canvassing votes is forbidden.
The affairs in these Assemblies should not be
"Debated" but discussed - that is, it is not a question of taking
sides for or against a proposition created by someone. It is not a bipolar
affair but a multi-view one where all bring to bear what they know or think.
They do research or they bring in and consult experts in the various fields.
The making of Laws, Organisations or Facilities is for experts in those fields
as are matters of Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Art, Commerce, Economics
and so forth.
The following procedure or something like it
is suggested:-
1. A subject for discussion may be agreed
upon by a previous discussion. This should be well publicised. A date for the
discussion is set.
2. The people intending to participate have
time (a) to do the necessary research, (b) to consult experts or their
colleagues, (c) receive recommendations from other bodies, members of the
public and organisations they belong to, (d) to pray, meditate and think.
3. The meeting takes place with the following
format:-
(a) The proceedings begin with prayer and
meditation, and the intention to avoid conflicts, distractions, prejudices,
rationalisations and other subjective interventions.
(b) Each member has a turn to put forward the
results of his endeavours.
(c) Opportunity
is also presented for any members of the public who wish to speak on the
subject, make criticisms or ask questions. They may have to be vetted through
organisations or bodies who sponsor them. This is to prevent wastage of time by
frivolous or naive people. The speakers will normally be experts on the subject
who may also be interrogated by the assembly.
(d) Discussion now takes place. (i). Common
points are isolated. (ii) Differences and matters requiring more research are
identified. (iii) Different ways of dealing with problems are discussed.
(e) There is an arbiter at every meeting
whose job it is to (i) keep order and calm at the meeting. (ii) point out
inconsistencies in thinking. (iii) ensure that there is no conflict between the
proposals and the fundamental principles, the constitution. (iv) ensure that
the rules and procedures are followed. However, these rules and procedures can
themselves be altered by the same means.
4. The results of the discussion are carried
away for further research, meditation and discussion with colleagues,
particularly with a view to finding solutions for problems which have arisen.
These results are given maximum publicity.
5. The second meeting now takes place and
follows the same steps as the first. Definite proposals are made and these are
given full publicity.
6. A third meeting is held to take into
consideration all objections and amendments. A decision is now reached which
has to be accepted by the Chairman or Leader of the Conference. In case of
disagreement the final decision remains his. It may require a general
Referendum.
7. The implementation of the decision may
require the appointment of various experts to carry out the tasks or the
filling in of the finer details. Someone may have to be appointed to set up the
appropriate organisation. It is the task of the Leader to appoint such a person
and he has to report to the Assembly. The first task of the person appointed is
to set up an experimental situation in which the finer details can be worked
out and hitherto unknown problems can be identified.
8. A report of the progress of the program
must be made to the assembly where it can be discussed.
9. An agenda is made out for future meetings
as far in advance as possible. This consists of :- (a) The subjects to be discussed.
(b) Reports of progress to the assembly. (c) Time should be set aside for
unspecified items. Here the assembly may be addressed by members of the public
or representatives of interest groups or organisations on any matter of
interest to them or members can bring up subjects not previously included in
the discussions. Petitions and Addresses from the general public maybe held.
This could be seen to by a Chairman.
Since the work and responsibilities of the
Assembly may become very extensive it will be necessary to divide it into
numerous Committees each of which deals with a different subject. Information
about what the Council is doing must be distributed widely through the
electorate, and conversely, information from the electorate should be gathered
and made available to the Council. This includes their problems, suggestions
and ideas and criticisms. This requires the existence of a person or committee
having this responsibility. This could be the work of the Vice-president.
10, Decisions should be made on the basis of
a two thirds majority in order to ensure that sufficient compromises have been
made. In the case of emergencies and matters requiring immediate decisions the
Leader of the Assembly must be notified who can get in touch with his advisers
and the relevant experts or departments immediately, and issue the necessary
instructions. But he will still have to report to the Assembly at the first
opportune moment and be subject to its scrutiny.
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