Beautiful Character, Piety, and Excellence in Islamic Political Thought: A Normative Model for Foreign Policy Analysis
Abstract
Modern foreign policy theories typically focus on interest calculations, power balances, and security concerns while excluding moral responsibility and normative values when explaining state behaviors. This study aims to develop an original normative model by transferring the fundamental concepts of Islamic political thought—beautiful character (husn al-akhlaq), piety (taqwa), and excellence (ihsan)—into foreign policy analysis. The main research question is: How can the principles of beautiful character, piety, and excellence in Islamic political thought construct a normative model in modern foreign policy analysis, and what are the theoretical, methodological, and practical contributions of this model? The study's hypothesis posits that if these three principles are positioned as normative variables at the center of foreign policy analysis, a more just, responsible, and sustainable model can be established in international relations. The research adopts a qualitative and interpretive approach, conducting comparative analysis between classical Islamic sources (Quran, Hadith, al-Ghazali, al-Mawardi) and contemporary foreign policy theories. The findings demonstrate that beautiful character represents virtue-based rationality in political action, piety represents self-regulation bounded by divine accountability consciousness, and excellence represents the perfection form of morality. The model provides applicable indicators to state behaviors through its three-layered normative structure. The theoretical contribution of the study lies in completing the dimensions of meaning, purpose, and responsibility that existing foreign policy theories have left incomplete. The causal connection established between moral integrity in domestic politics and foreign policy success constitutes the model's distinctive aspect. At the practical level, it is revealed that the model can contribute to trust-building in diplomatic relations, crisis prevention, and conflict resolution processes. The model, which provides epistemic pluralism, proposes an alternative paradigm based on universal values against Western-centric hegemonic discourse. The study proves both the theoretical and practical value of a normative foreign policy model that centers moral principles during a period of increasing global crises.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18415/ijmmu.v13i1.7326
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