No.37: System comparison: Caliphate vs Electric Technocracy
- Mike Miller
- Jun 6
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 7
Caliphate – Religious-Political System of Islamic Rule
I. Definition: What is a Caliphate?
A caliphate is a theocratic-Islamic form of government in which a Caliph (Arabic: “successor”) serves as the religious and political leader of both the state and the Ummah (Islamic community). It represents a fusion of worldly and religious power—legitimized by the claim of following in the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad.
II. Characteristics of the Caliphate
Fusion of Religion and Politics: No separation between state and faith
Sharia as Legal Basis: Islamic law replaces secular legal systems
Authority by Divine Calling: The Caliph is seen as the guardian of Islamic order—criticism is often delegitimized religiously
Hierarchical and Patriarchal: In practice, the structure is authoritarian and male-dominated
III. Historical Caliphates
Rashidun Caliphate (632–661 CE)
The first four Caliphs after Muhammad’s death
Rapid expansion of Islam through military conquests
Umayyad Caliphate (661–750) & Abbasid Caliphate (750–1258)
Rule over a vast empire from Spain to India
Great cultural achievements, but also oppression, dynastic conflicts, and elite excesses
Ottoman Caliphate (1517–1924)
The last major caliphate, dissolved by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Often used to legitimize the Sultan as spiritual leader
IV. Modern Attempts and Abuses
Islamic State (IS, from 2014)
Self-declared caliphate under Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
Mass killings, slavery, destruction of cultural heritage, systematic rape
Global terrorism under the guise of pseudo-religion
Taliban (Afghanistan)
De facto caliphate structures with brutal enforcement of Sharia
Discrimination against women, bans on music, education, and art
V. Weaknesses and Dangers
Religious Intolerance
Other religions and even differing Islamic sects are persecuted or excluded
Misogyny
Systematic discrimination against women in education, employment, and public life
Dogmatic Stagnation
No space for progress, science, or critical thinking if it conflicts with religious dogma
Legitimization of Violence
Caliphates often associated with Holy Wars (Jihad), used to justify terror and repression
VI. Comparison to Electronic Technocracy
Caliphate | Electronic Technocracy |
Theocracy | Secular, evidence-based |
Obedience through faith | Guidance through knowledge and ethics |
Women subordinated | Equality as a core value |
Repression of dissenters | Freedom of opinion and open discourse |
Looking backward to divine order | Looking forward—future as a project |
Electronic Technocracy offers a path without salvation promises or threats of damnation. Instead of untouchable dogmas, it centers on transparent decisions based on data, ethics, and logic. It is open, egalitarian, and adaptive—in direct contrast to the authoritarian and regressive structure of a caliphate.
VII. Conclusion
The caliphate may hold historical significance, but as a form of governance, it is a religiously grounded system that suppresses freedom, diversity, and progress. Its revival inevitably leads to fanaticism, oppression, and regression.
The future does not lie in resurrecting past theocratic empires—but in building a new, just order as envisioned by Electronic Technocracy: transparent, secular, peaceful, and rooted in human dignity.
Wikipedia Links
Deutsch
English
PoliticalWiki: Electric Technocracy
Elektrische Technokratie Podcast & Song
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