EXPLORING IQBAL’S CONCEPT OF SPIRITUAL DEMOCRACY: AN ETHICAL PARADIGM FOR CONTEMPORARY GOVERNANCE

Abstract

This research explores Allama Iqbal's concept of spiritual democracy as an ethical governance model, integrating literary and international relations theories in order to assess its modern importance. Using Iqbal's Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam
and his poetry, the research makes forays into a study of how spiritual ethics may be applied to governance and retrieves valuable lessons for reversing moral decay, inequality, and polarization. Constructivist IR theory and humanist literary perspectives enable the
bridging of philosophy with political practice. The qualitative method of inquiry includes thematic and discourse analysis of Iqbal's works, revealing that justice, inclusiveness, dignity, etc., are instruments of leadership transformation. The findings are that Iqbal's
vision goes beyond the traditional paradigms, forming a framework based on collective moral responsibility. A Conceptual Model of HEGM, under the proposed model, aims at involving spiritual democracy in policy-making and leadership training for ethical governance and conflict resolution. Future study can test this model in the context of diplomacy and multilateralism. The synthesis of ethics and governance by Iqbal offers a long-term approach to fostering harmony and transformative leadership in global politics.