bismihi Ta’ala
assalam o alaikum …
the first title by Fareed Zakaria, and the second is by Noah Feldman.
the first title explores themes of democracy and liberalism: constitutionalism to be precise, where the rule of law is supreme. he postulates that democracy does not guarantee liberalism, and a concomitant of a democratic institution is its emphasis on liberalism. the author by virtue of his background (editor to the Foreign Affairs Journal), explores the various democratic institutions around the World, why they have flourished, and why they have failed, and its relation with a Market driven economy.
there is a seperate chapter on Islam, the role of oil, politics, the entranchment of Islamic Countries into a phase whereby they are not as open to the idea of an free society, where democracy and liberalism go hand in hand.
since elections in the US are underway, the titles also explores the role of special Interest Groups, that serve to undermine the role of the Government, highlighting the death of authority (it is a title to one of the chapters).
the second title explores the possibility of democratic institutions in the Islamic World, authored by Noah Feldman. i think that Fareeds work is by far more useful since it intertwines the economic, and cultural factor, placing it within the context of geo-political forces.
if you have the time just read the Chapter on the Islamic World in Zakarias work, it will give you some food for thought. the economics of oil, the politics of tribalism, the fanatacism of religious forces (he challenges the notion of India being a Democratic Nation), and the consequences it holds for the Islamic World. though, i wonder, though at the time being the war in Iraq is for Oil, down the road (20-40 Years), water will be a priceless commodity in the Middle East, especially for the survival of the state of Israel.
great books, do share your thoughts, abu Kumayl