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Islam-based legal language and state governance: democracy, strength of the judiciary and human rights

Author

Listed:
  • Emilia Justyna Powell

    (University of Notre Dame)

  • Steven Christian McDowell

    (Los Rios Community College District)

  • Robert O’Brien

    (UCLA School of Law)

  • Julia Oksasoglu

    (Columbia Law School)

Abstract

States embracing Islam-based laws are frequently seen as struggling with establishing democratic institutions, jeopardizing human rights and encouraging executive encroachment on the judiciary. This paper explores whether the presence of Islam-based legal language in a domestic legal system is associated with lower levels of electoral democracy, fewer protections for private liberties, women’s rights, and a weak judiciary. Relying on original data covering laws in 29 Islamic law states (2001–2012), we focus on Islam-based legal language in these states’ constitutional and subconstitutional domestic legal systems. By itself, Islam-based legal language is not associated with a weak judiciary or the absence of political liberties. However, subconstitutional—particularly legislative—commitments to Islam-based legal language are frequently associated with lower levels of democracy and fewer protections for private liberties and women’s rights.

Suggested Citation

  • Emilia Justyna Powell & Steven Christian McDowell & Robert O’Brien & Julia Oksasoglu, 2021. "Islam-based legal language and state governance: democracy, strength of the judiciary and human rights," Constitutional Political Economy, Springer, vol. 32(3), pages 376-412, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:copoec:v:32:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s10602-019-09298-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10602-019-09298-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Islamic law; Comparative law; Human rights; Constitutional law; Strength of the judiciary;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K10 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - General (Constitutional Law)
    • K38 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Human Rights Law; Gender Law; Animal Rights Law
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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