A Constitutional Approach to Political Violence

The occurrence of political violence today stems much from intra-societal conflicts, as e.g. looting rebels and religious jihadists challenge peace and political stability in several countries. When rebels and jihadists join forces or in addition fight each other, anarchy and anomie is likely to occur. Countries that have fallen into the Hobbesian predicament are to be found in Central Africa, the Middle East as well as Central Asia. The result is huge losses in human lives, enormous casualties as well as capital destruction including material resources and assets. The remedy is the compromise between the combatants, i.e. a key pact or constitutional agreement that supports the rule of law (RL). Constitutionalism holds the promise of peace and stability also in a Muslim country, as there is nothing in the “Book of God” that excludes peace and prosperity – i.e. rationality - in the Muslim civilisation. The call for Islamisation should be countered by the revival of the philosophy of the greatest of medieval thinkers, namely Averroes.