The Just Prince; A Manual of Leadership

by Joseph A. Kechichian and R. Hair Dekmejian

• ISBN13: 9780863567834
• ISBN10: 0863567835
• Format: Trade Book
• Copyright: 2003-11-08
• Publisher: Al Saqi

Summary

The Sulwan al-Muta' is an 800 year-old handbook for statesmen written by a Sicilian Arab who addressed this advice for a "just prince" based on Islamic morality, European realism and a broad-ranging knowledge of different cultures. The work is explicated using straight philosophical discourse as well as the narrative whirl of fables-within-fables so beloved of ancient and mediaeval Oriental literature. This is a work of practical political philosophy that combines penetrating contemporary analysis, the entertainment value of The Thousand and One Nights, and the deep insight of Sun Tzu.

Author Biography

Joseph A. Kechichian is a private consultant on national security affairs within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

R. Hrair Dekmejian is Professor of Political Science at the University of Southern California.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	11	(1)
A Note on Transliteration	12	(1)
Maxims from the Sulwan al-Muta'	13	(4)
Foreword by Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan	17	(14)
BOOK ONE: THE JUST PRINCE
1. The Significance of Ibn Zafar al-Sigilli's Work	31	(12)
Power and Authority: Theoretical Perspectives	31	(6)
Ibn Zafar: An Overview	37	(2)
Ibn Zafar: A Biographical Sketch	39	(2)
Ibn Zafar's Literary Legacy	41	(2)
2. Counselling the Prince: An Historical Overview	43	(23)
Ibn Zafar's Predecessors	43	(11)
Ibn Zafar's Successors	54	(4)
The Western Tradition	58	(8)
3. The Sulwan al-Muta': Analysis of a Magnum Opus	66	(31)
Ibn Zafar's Historical Milieu	66	(3)
Method of Analysis: Historicism	69	(2)
Five Maxims	71	(5)
Idealism versus Realism: Mosca's Paradox	76	(4)
Theories of Revolution	80	(5)
The Virtuous Prince	85	(3)
The Ruler as Servant	88	(1)
The Graceful Prince	89	(1)
The Pragmatic Prince	90	(3)
A Good Counsellor	93	(4)
4. Ibn Zafar and Machiavelli: A Comparative Analysis	97	(18)
Crisis Environments	98	(1)
Two Princes, Two Authors	98	(2)
Methods of Analysis	100	(2)
Selecting Good Advisors	102	(4)
The Religious Prince versus the Secular Prince	106	(2)
Worldviews and Human Nature	108	(1)
Qualities of the Prince	109	(2)
Rules of Governance	111	(2)
Fate versus Will	113	(2)
5. Ibn Zafar: A Retrospective Assessment	115	(8)
Universality and Modernity	115	(1)
Apostle of a Moral Order	116	(2)
Tolerance and Moderation	118	(1)
Virtuous Leadership and Social Justice	119	(4)
BOOK TWO: SULWAN AL-MUTA' FI 'UDWAN AL-ATBA'
Preface to the First Edition	123	(16)
Preface to the Second Edition	139	(6)
Verses	140	(5)
1. Trust in God	145	(44)
Verses From the Holy Qur'an	145	(1)
Pharaoh and his Kinsman	146	(4)
Tradition Concerning the Prophet Muhammad	150	(1)
Philosophical Maxims on Trust in God	151	(2)
Dialogue Between al-Walid ibn Yazjd and a Poor Dweller	153	(2)
Adventure of the Umayyad Caliph 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan and 'Abdallah ibn al-Zubayr	155	(5)
The Two Foxes and the Serpent	160	(5)
The Peacock and the Cock	165	(3)
The Two Ministers	168	(3)
End of the Tale of the Two Ministers	171	(1)
End of the Tale of the Two Foxes	171	(2)
End of 'Abd al-Malik's Adventure	173	(1)
Conclusion of the Dialogue of al-Walid	174	(1)
Al-Ma'mun and the Old Persian	175	(6)
The King of the White Huns and Firitz King of Persia	181	(7)
Conclusion of the Adventure of al-Ma'mun	188	(1)
2. Fortitude	189	(38)
Verses From the Holy Qur'an	189	(3)
Traditions of the Prophet Concerning Fortitude	192	(1)
Philosophical Maxims Concerning Fortitude	193	(3)
Sopor, King of Persia, and the Roman Emperor	196	(11)
'Ayn Ahlih and the Old Woman	207	(2)
The Horse and the Wild Boar	209	(6)
The Gazelle and the Antelope	215	(5)
Conclusion of 'Ayn Ahlih's Tale	220	(3)
Conclusion of Sailor's Adventure	223	(4)
3. Patience	227	(39)
Verses From the Holy Qur'an	227	(1)
Attempt on the Prophet's Life	227	(2)
Sayings of the Prophet Concerning Patience	229	(1)
Philosophical Statements Concerning Patience	230	(2)
The Poise of Chosroes Anushirvan	232	(1)
An Example of 'Abbasid Caliph Musa al-Hadi's Valour	233	(1)
Chosroes Anushirvan's Campaign in India	234	(14)
The Rat and the Gerbil	248	(4)
Continuation of the Enterprise of Chosroes	252	(11)
A Citizen of Madina Speaks to 'Uthman ibn 'Affan	263	(1)
Sayings of a Philosopher to Yezdéjird II	264	(2)
4. Contentment	266	(38)
Verses From the Holy Çur'an	266	(1)
Tradition Concerning Moses	267	(1)
Sayings of the Prophet on Contentment	267	(1)
Philosophical Sayings on Contentment	268	(2)
The Education of Yezdéjird II's Heir, Bahram Cour	270	(5)
The Bear and the Monkey	275	(1)
The Hermit and the Thief	276	(2)
Continuation of the Fable of the Bear and the Monkey	278	(3)
The Miller and the Ass	281	(3)
Continuation of the Fable of the Bear and the Monkey	284	(1)
The King's Daughter and the Little Bird	285	(2)
Continuation of the Fable of the Bear and the Monkey	287	(2)
Continuation of the History of Bahram Cour	289	(1)
The King of Persia's Jester	290	(4)
End of the Story of Bahram Cour	294	(2)
Elevation of Bahram Cour to the Throne of Persia	296	(8)
5. Self-denial	304	(33)
Verses From the Holy Qur'an	304	(1)
Traditions Concerning Muhammad	305	(1)
Prose and Verse on the Wisdom of Self-denial	305	(3)
The Daughter of the King of Nájaf and the Muslim Commander Sa'ad Ibn Abi Waggas	308	(2)
Abdication of the Caliph Mu'awiya ibn Yazid	310	(2)
Abdication of Nu'man	312	(4)
Abdication of a Creek King	316	(2)
Conversion of an Ossetian King to Christianity	318	(4)
Self-denial of Babak, Son of Ardashir, the First Sassanid	322	(3)
The Tame and Wild Elephants	325	(4)
Continuation of Babak's Story	329	(1)
The Herdsman and the Hermit	329	(2)
The Restoration of a Deserted Monastery	331	(3)
Conclusion of the Story of the Herdsman and the Hermit	334	(1)
Disappearance of Babak	335	(1)
Conclusion	335	(2)
Bibliography	337	(7)
Index	344