Islam as a Theory of International Relations: A New Perspective

Within the discipline of International Relations, there is a growing debate with regards to the comprehensive nature of the discipline. Non-western Scholars such as Amitav Acharya asserted that the discipline of International Relations fails to put into consideration other theories that are non-western. This, they believed, limits the discipline‟s comprehensiveness. The dominant mainstream theories are lacking in explaining complex issues around the globe that are non-western. This is because the theories are based on the euro-American worldview. Concepts such as state, sovereignty, power etc. are all understood through the auspices of western centric theories of International Relations. The rise of Islamism/Political Islam, can be said to be one of the major catalysts to this critique. The mainstream theories are embedded in the secular intellectual tradition of the West. Therefore, unable to put into consideration issues such as the resurgence of Islam. The reason being, religion (in this case Islam) is considered irrelevant. Hence, making the theories unsuitable to understanding the dynamics pertaining to Islam and events in the Muslim world. Events such as the Islamic revolution, Muslim Brotherhood, Islamist militias such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS). It is therefore in the light of this, that this study seeks to contribute to the post-western debate by looking at concepts of state sovereignty, war and peace from an Islamic perspective. And ultimately, by proposing Islam as a theory to understanding events in the Muslim world.