If the civil state in Shahrur’s thought is not built on sanctity, it needs mechanisms of accountability. Here two important concepts emerge: those in authority, as a legislative body rather than infallible persons, and the power of society, as non-coercive civil oversight.
The Central Idea
Obedience to those in authority, for Shahrur, is obedience to law and institutional legislation, not submission to the person of the ruler. On the other hand, the civil state is not governed solely by official authorities; society itself possesses a supervisory power through the media, associations, parties, unions, and freedom of expression.
Strongest Evidence
Those in authority are a legislative authority: established by Those in Authority, where the concept appears as representatives of legislative authority, not executive rulers or a sanctified religious authority.
The constitution and legislation are the prerogative of the elected: established by The constitution is civil and legislation is the prerogative of the elected.
The power of society is civil oversight: established by The fourth power is the power of society. This power does not possess coercion, but it exposes deviation from the constitution and rights.
Freedom of expression is a condition for accountability: established by Peaceful freedom of expression.
The Power of Society Is Not a Coercive Power
What is meant by the power of society is not the creation of a fourth apparatus that possesses weapons or punishment. Its strength lies in oversight, exposing deviation, and generating public pressure within the civil state. It is therefore connected to freedom of expression and civil society, not to coercion.
Judgment Table
| Element | Judgment |
|---|---|
| Those in authority as a legislative body | Established. |
| Obedience to persons as infallible | Not established and contrary to the direction of the trajectory. |
| Legislation as the prerogative of the elected | Established. |
| The power of society | Established as civil oversight. |
| Accountability as a detailed system | Established as a principle, not as a complete procedural system. |
Its Relation to Democracy
This page brings the trajectory closer to democracy in its institutional sense: representation, law, oversight, and freedom of expression. But it is not sufficient on its own to establish a full electoral system, a constitutional court, or detailed rules for the transfer of power.