This book is a collection of Imam Ali Ibne Abi Talib's policy statements on the role and responsibilities of political leadership for good governance. Important administrative policy initiatives taken by Imam Ali and his guidelines for effective government as advocated in his writings and lectures to various governors and senior officials are the primarily focus of this work. The work benefits from extensive research sources and a reference is provided for every statement. Language has been kept simple while remaining loyal to the original tone, as authors have young readers in mind also. Imam Ali was both an educationist and a practitioner. His writings and speeches, especially during his time as Caliph (656 - 661 A.D), speak volumes about his progressive political vision. A just order founded on rational thinking, tolerance and equality was his ultimate goal. Special emphasis on the need for education was another critical pillar of his philosophy. He was looking much beyond his age and hence he built the intellectual foundations of a model government for future. The emphasis was on nurturing leaders, humane and accountable, who would establish institutions and focus primarily on the wellbeing of the ordinary people. In that sense his teachings are valuable for any student of politics and government anywhere in the world. Table of Contents: Preface Chapter 1: Policy Making Guidelines for Good Governance Chapter 2: On Establishing an Effective Justice System Chapter 3: Qualities of an Effective Leader Chapter 4: Economic Affairs: Taxation and Development Chapter 5: Importance of Education and Knowledge Chapter 6: Principles of Administration Introduced by Ali Ibne Abi Talib as a Caliph Research Sources Notes
About the Author: ABOUT THE AUTHORS Hassan Abbas is a scholar of international affairs based in the United States. He is a Senior Advisor and former Bernard Schwartz Fellow at Asia Society in New York and a non-resident fellow at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding. Previously, he was the Quaid-i-Azam Chair Professor at the Columbia University in New York. He remained a Senior Advisor at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University (2009-2011), after having been a Research Fellow at the Center from 2005-2009. Earlier he was a Research Fellow at the Harvard Law School's Islamic Legal Studies Program (2002-03) and later a visiting Scholar at Negotiation Project (2003-04) in the same institution. Dr. Abbas holds an LLM in International Law from the University of Nottingham, UK (as a Britannia Chevening Scholar) and a PhD. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, USA. He has numerous publications to his credit and runs a blog WATANDOST (www.watandost.blogspot.com). Benish Zahra Hassan is the President of Sakina Foundation - a human rights organization focusing on children. Benish passionately advocates for the welfare of children especially in the war torn countries and believes in working to make a difference in the lives of under privileged children in the US and around the world by boosting their self esteem and providing them opportunities to feel worthy and become productive citizens. All efforts of the foundation to help children in need are to honor Bibi Sakina, the great granddaughter of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) who was held as a prisoner of war after the battle of Karbala at the age of five years. She died helpless in solitary confinement. Benish has a law degree and has worked for various NGOs in Pakistan and the US. She has also worked as a freelance journalist. She lives in Virginia, USA with her husband and their three daughters.