Democracy and constitutionalism in the Arab world

Abstract This article responds to Philipp Dann’s Editorial on the absence of a counterpart to third world approaches to international law (TWAIL) in comparative constitutional law. It argues for a shift away from prevailing frameworks that universalize liberal constitutionalism, advocating instead for a “connected constitutionalism” approach. Drawing inspiration from the methodology of “connected history,” this perspective emphasizes the interdependence between North and South and foregrounds the power relations that shape constitutional developments across regions. The article illustrates this approach through a focus on the Arab world, analyzing the role of Islam and the influence of both domestic and international actors in the formation of constitutional institutions. Challenging persistent Huntingtonian assumptions about the incompatibility of Islam with democracy, the article critiques two dominant narratives: the orientalist view that democracy is inherently Western, and the functionalist expectation that Arab democracies must evolve into Western clones. It argues that Arab constitutionalism’s non-secular character is not inherently anti-democratic, and that Islam can coexist with democratic governance. The article supports this claim through both normative analysis and empirical data on public perceptions of democracy in the region. Finally, it considers the shifting geopolitical landscape and its ­implications for democratic futures in the Arab world.