The dream of Arab democracy

NEW YORK, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The ideology of democratic government by the people in the Arab world is a fantasy that cannot replace Islamic theology, an analysis claims.

Elie Elhad, a scholar at London University's School of Oriental and African Studies, writes in the Global Politician that representative democracy is not conducive to Islamic teaching, saying obedience and deference lie at the foundation of Islam.

"Sovereignty in Islamist democracy is to God whereas sovereignty under Western democracy is to the people," he said.

The majority of the Arab population are concerned democratic change would bring far worse conditions to their country, making conditions ripe for foreign occupation, he said.

Furthermore, the Arab community has grown frustrated with U.S. foreign policy in the region, making Islamic ideals, not democratic reform, the sanctuary people seek.

Washington, Elhad says, has backed elections in Palestine and Iraq under the guise of democratic form, yet the Palestinians chose instead to elect Hamas and opt for Shiite domination of Iraq.

He called instead for a "benevolent dictator" to emerge from the Arab community to usher in moderate reform in the Middle East, saying such a figure would end government corruption.