The political thought of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) as a model for managing social crises

Abstract

This study examines the problem of managing social crises in the modern state through a comparative analytical approach that integrates contemporary legal frameworks with the political thought of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him), with particular emphasis on the Iraqi legislative experience as an applied case revealing both the limitations and potential development of modern crisis management systems. The research is grounded in the central hypothesis that the structural shortcomings of modern crisis governance do not primarily stem from a lack of regulatory mechanisms, but rather from the absence of a value-based framework capable of guiding exceptional authority and regulating its relationship with social justice, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable groups.

The analysis focuses on three main dimensions: the conceptual framework of social crises, the nature of authority under exceptional conditions, and mechanisms of distributive justice, accountability, and resource management.

The findings reveal that modern legal systems tend to emphasize procedural control over authority, often producing legally valid yet socially imbalanced responses. In contrast, Imam Ali’s political thought offers an integrated model in which justice constitutes a structural foundation of authority, accountability operates as a preventive system, and public resources are treated as a collective social right governed by equity. The study concludes that an integrated legislative model is possible—one that combines institutional efficiency with ethical justice—thereby transforming crisis management from a purely technical response into a process of restoring social balance, reinforcing legitimacy, and enhancing public trust.