The impact of Islamic political thought on governance systems: A comparative analytical study between Sunni and Shia models

Hani Mefleh O. Hamdon () and Awad Abdulraheem Awad Al Dwairi ()

International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies, 2025, vol. 8, issue 5, 1329-1337

Abstract: This research investigates the differential impact of Sunni and Shia Islamic political thought on contemporary governance systems through a comprehensive comparative examination. Using mixed-methods research incorporating quantitative assessment of administrative measures from 12 Middle Eastern countries (2003-2024), historical institutional analysis, and contemporary case studies, this research tests three primary hypotheses: (H1) Sunni-majority countries demonstrate superior administrative efficiency compared to Shia-influenced systems, (H2) historical duration correlates positively with institutional legitimacy in Islamic political systems, and (H3) economic development mediates the relationship between sectarian political models and governance outcomes. Statistical analysis reveals notable variations in administrative efficiency between Sunni-majority countries (M = 0.29, SD = 0.52) and Shia/Mixed systems (M = -1.15, SD = 0.61), t(10) = 2.826, p = 0.018. Correlation analysis demonstrates a strong positive relationship between GDP per capita and administrative efficiency (r = 0.663, p = 0.019). Historical analysis of six major Islamic political systems spanning 1,400 years reveals that Sunni caliphates averaged 312 years in duration compared to 170 years for Shia-influenced systems. The study concludes that while sectarian political thought influences governance structures, financial growth and organizational structure are stronger predictors of administrative efficiency than theological orientation alone.

Keywords: Comparative politics; Governance systems; Institutional theory; Islamic political thought; Middle East; Statistical analysis; Sunni-Shia divide. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://ijirss.com/index.php/ijirss/article/view/9130/2042 (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aac:ijirss:v:8:y:2025:i:5:p:1329-1337:id:9130

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies is currently edited by Natalie Jean

More articles in International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies from Innovative Research Publishing
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Natalie Jean ().