Determining Government’s Objectives Based on Extra-Religious Approach
In Extra-religious approach, the necessity of government, such as the social nature of human beings and contradiction of man’s needs and interests in communal life is explored on one hand, and on the other hand Islam’s especial world view is taken into account according to which the world has been created by the Wise God, man has an eternal soul and can attain happiness through his own resolve because of having free choice.
Therefore, extra-religious approach seeks to find out through rational analysis and deduction that what kind of government is required according to psychological realties and personal as well as social aspects of man’s life, without referring to religious texts about the government and its objectives or the life or conduct of religious figures.
In extra-religious approach, considering the following issues can help determine the type of government based on its objectives. Therefore extra-religious reasons on the necessity of government and determining its objectives include:
• From the Islamic point of view, the existence has several levels the highest of which is the infinite existence which is the origin of existence and that the One God, the Wise, the Governing and all-encompassing all the levels of existence. The lowest level order, on the other hand, is this terrestrial and perceptible world. There are other levels of existence that are mediator of blessing, mercy and perfection for lower levels. Hence the terrestrial world is but a small part of the vast extent of existence. We have passed levels and stages before reaching this terrestrial world and vast levels lie ahead of us.
• The truth and main aspect of man is his eternal soul. Therefore human life is not limited to this material life. There is another level, the quality and quantity of which is higher than the current one. (While the Hereafter is better and more enduring) (al- A’la: 17).
• Terrestrial and otherworldly levels of man’s life are not separated from each other; there is a deep and unbreakable tie between the two. Man’s otherworldly life is a result of his insight and actions in this world; the hereafter is the result and fruit of man’s action and nature in this world.
• Man is social by nature and therefore bound to have a social life. Many of his talents and hidden capabilities are flourished as a result of communal life, provided that suitable ground is provided for him.
Ahmad Niazi, graduate of Qom Seminary and Phd student of Al Mustafa international university
Source: political science journal, No. 3
Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi
Other links:
Hobbes view and the Purpose of the Government
Liberal Democracy (Economy, Culture, Values)
