Emory International Law Review
Abstract
This Article examines the role of religious law in constitutionalism by focusing on Egypt and Tunisia as two main case studies: Egypt is an example of the so-called 'Islamic constitutionalism' and Tunisia is an example of a more secular variety. Both cases are analyzed against the backdrop of U.S. constitutional theory and law. I begin by rejecting conceptualist approaches which focus on abstract concepts in order to assess the compatibility of religion, like Islam, with democracy. I show the futility of this kind of debate through a comparison to American debates between 'living constitutionalists' and 'originalists.' I then elaborate a pragmatic account that assesses the consequences of different institutional arrangements.
Recommended Citation
Nimer Sultany,
Religion and Constitutionalism: Lessons from American and Islamic Constitutionalism,
28
Emory Int'l L. Rev.
345
(2014).
Available at:
https://scholarlycommons.law.emory.edu/eilr/vol28/iss1/9