سرمایہ دارانہ نظام، جمہوریت اور استعمار: ڈاکٹر جاوید اکبر انصاری کے نظریات کا تجزیاتی مطالعہ

"CAPITALISM,DEMOCRACY,AND COLONIALISM:AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF DR. JAVED AKBAR ANSARI'S VIEWS"

Abstract

The West and Western civilization are among the most important topics of the present era. At first glance, Western civilization appears to be a dominant and powerful force exerting influence across the globe. However, what is the foundation of Western civilization, Western philosophy, and Western thought? What are the basic principles of this civilization? What are its political and economic policies?

Various perspectives have been presented in response to these questions so that we may gain an understanding of the West, its philosophy, civilization, and ideas—along with their history, nature, essence, and impact on human history—enabling us to critically evaluate them in the light of Islamic epistemology. Understanding Western civilization is essential, particularly because it is the prevailing civilization of our time. This civilization poses serious challenges not only to Islam but to all religions of the world. As a result of its dominance, religions are reduced to mere private matters, often relegated to oblivion. Therefore, it is imperative for the followers of all faiths, and especially for the Muslim Ummah, to acquire an understanding of Western civilization that enables them to intellectually engage with it.

In the contemporary era, Muslim thinkers are generally divided into three groups regarding Western civilization. The first group comprises those who fully accept it and adopt a reconciliatory approach towards it. The second group does not completely embrace it but is willing to benefit from its positive aspects to some extent. The third group entirely rejects Western civilization and seeks the complete implementation of Islam in its place. Among the latter is the well-known economist Dr. Javed Akbar Ansari, who completely rejects Western civilization—primarily due to its capitalist economic system and democratic political order—and advocates for the dominance of Islam.

In this paper, the author will present a summary of Dr. Ansari’s book " Western civilization: A Contemporary Analysis", which consists of four chapters. The first chapter outlines the characteristics of the capitalist system, describing it as a system of oppression and coercion in the name of freedom. The second chapter discusses the personality that emerges under capitalism and the philosophical foundations of this system. The third chapter explains the relationship between democracy and capitalism, while the fourth chapter addresses the nature of colonialism and proposes strategies for confronting it.