African Constitutionalism and the Role of Islam / Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

An-Na'im, Abdullahi Ahmed, author.

Series:

Pennsylvania studies in human rights.

Pennsylvania Studies in Human Rights

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Islam and state.

Constitutional law (Islamic law).

Constitutional law--Africa--Philosophy.

Constitutional law.

Constitutional law--Africa.

Genre:

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

xii, 199 p.

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Philadelphia : University of Pennsylvania Press, [2010]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Constitutionalism is steadily becoming the prevalent form of governance in Africa. But how does constitutionalism deal with the lingering effects of colonialism? And how does constitutional law deal with Islamic principles in the region? African Constitutionalism and the Role of Islam seeks to answer these questions. Constitutional governance has not been, nor will be, easily achieved, Abdullahi Ahmed An-Na'im argues. But setbacks and difficulties are to be expected in the process of adaptation and indigenization of an essentially alien concept-that of of nation-state-and its role in large-scale political and social organization.An-Na'im discusses the problems of implementing constitutionalized forms of government specific to Africa, from definitional to conceptual and practical issues. The role of Islam in these endeavors is open to challenge and reformulation, and should not be taken for granted or assumed to be necessarily negative or positive, An-Na'im asserts, and he emphasizes the role of the agency of Muslims in the process of adapting constitutionalism to the values and practices of their own societies. By examining the incremental successes that some African nations have already achieved and An-Na'im reveals the contingent role that Islam has to play in this process. Ultimately, these issues will determine the long-term sustainability of constitutionalism in Africa.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1. Toward an Inclusive Theory of Constitutionalism

Chapter 2. Elements of African Constitutionalism

Chapter 3. Evaluating Experiences in Incremental Success

Chapter 4. The Contingent Role of Islam

Chapter 5. Islam and Constitutionalism in Sudan, Nigeria, and Senegal

Chapter 6. Conclusions: Sustainable Constitutionalism Through Practice

References

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references ( p.187-194) and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 08. Jul 2019)

ISBN:

9786613211408

9781283211406

1283211408

9780812201116

0812201116

OCLC:

759158209