The Qur’an An Abiding Wonder
The Qur’an: The Book of God
~ 17 ~
strongly objected to on the grounds that no good
reason can be found for one single individual to
tyrannise the entire population of a country or
countries. Although democracy, as opposed to
despotism, has wide popular support, it has not
provided
fool-proof
solutions
either
to
philosophical or practical problems. The literal
meaning of democracy – a word of Greek origin – is
rule by the people. This notion has been widely
hailed as a panacea of all ills, but, in practice, it has
proved impossible to establish rule by the entire
population of any given country. If all of the people
are to govern, how can they – at the same time – be
governed? If all the people cannot have power
simultaneously, how can a popular government be
formed? Various theories have been propounded,
the most popular of which is Rousseau’s, i.e. that it
should be left to the General Will, which can be
determined by plebiscite. But, this being a time-
consuming and cumbersome process (not to speak
the expense involved), government by the people
becomes, in effect, government by a few elected
individuals. People may be free to vote as they
please, but after they have voted, they are once
again subjected to the rule of a select group.
