DEMOKRASI VERSUS TEOKRASI: ANTARA TEORI DAN PRAKTIK

This article views popular themes discussed by Muslim politicians, namely democracy and theocracy. While democracy builds governmental system based on public sovereignty, theocracy is based on the sovereignty of God. We often hear ideas of democracy used in several contexts, for example, people democracy, popular democracy, and guided democracy. Moreover, in Indonesia, the term of "Demokrasi Pancasila" is well known. To some Muslim politicians, democracy is viewed as an idea coming from Western countries or Christian traditions and thus, it is understood as an infidels' idea. Some other Muslim politicians view democracy as an idea which is compatible with Islamic teachings, especially with the concept of shura. In fact, most Muslim politicians prefer theocracy to democracy. Al-Maududi is one of Muslim politicians who has the view. Furthermore, he introduced a new term, theo-democracy, as an answer of the dispute.