This essay applies the conceptual framework of the Islamic Political Thought — most prominently associated with Taha Jabir Alalwani et al. — to re-read the Vanuatu IGF 2023 Port Vila conference. Target audience: researchers, doctoral students, policy analysts, and executives.
Introduction: The Problem
The tradition of Shura (consultation) in Islamic political thought offers a distinct perspective on consensus-building. Vanuatu IGF contains the dialogue possibility between the Western deliberative model and Islamic Shura.
This essay argues that the multistakeholder process of Vanuatu IGF becomes intelligible in its specificity only through the concept of Shura (consultation) and Ijma (consensus), and that the concept itself undergoes transformation under the new material of digital space. Describing this mutual transformation is the task of this essay.
Deliberation from Islamic perspective
Participation from Vanuatu (especially Arab/Islamic countries) can bring a policy-evaluation framework based on Maslaha (public welfare). This adds a new dimension to 気候変動 debate.
Each session's agenda-setting can be read as a contemporary restaging of the Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.-type problematic.
The national-level IGF (Vanuatu IGF) is an attempt to redefine the modern category of the nation-state in the digital era.
Maslaha (public welfare)
Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.'s concepts are not confined to abstract philosophical discussion; they apply to the concrete agenda items debated at the 2023 conference. We examine that application below.
1. Application to "気候変動"
Discussion of "気候変動" can be positioned, from the perspective of Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.'s Shura (consultation) and Ijma (consensus), as a central problematic. In Vanuatu's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 気候変動 are particularly at stake.
2. Application to "AI"
Discussion of "AI" can be positioned, from the perspective of Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.'s Shura (consultation) and Ijma (consensus), as a derivative problematic. In Vanuatu's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around AI are particularly at stake.
3. Application to "接続性"
Discussion of "接続性" can be positioned, from the perspective of Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.'s Shura (consultation) and Ijma (consensus), as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Vanuatu's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 接続性 are particularly at stake.
4. Application to "国内法整備"
Discussion of "国内法整備" can be positioned, from the perspective of Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.'s Shura (consultation) and Ijma (consensus), as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Vanuatu's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 国内法整備 are particularly at stake.
5. Application to "政府＋民間協働"
Discussion of "政府＋民間協働" can be positioned, from the perspective of Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.'s Shura (consultation) and Ijma (consensus), as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Vanuatu's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around 政府＋民間協働 are particularly at stake.
Implications for Executives and Practitioners
The philosophical reflection of this essay is not merely academic. The Taha Jabir Alalwani et al. perspective carries three practical implications for executives operating in Vanuatu.
First, it raises the reflexive question of how the firm's business model connects to the logic of Shura (consultation) and Ijma (consensus). Second, in dialogue with regulators and civil society, it suggests dimensions of consensus formation that purely technical arguments cannot reach. Third, it indicates that the long-term ground of business legitimacy lies not so much in technical advantage or market share as in participation in such philosophical-normative debates.
Academic Positioning and Future Research
The argument of this essay attempts to graft a philosophical perspective onto the mainstream political-science and legal approaches to internet governance research. Three future research questions follow.
- Verification of the applicability of Taha Jabir Alalwani et al.'s framework to other IGF conferences
- Comparative contrast between Islamic Political Thought and other theoretical traditions
- Exploration of dialogue possibilities with the indigenous intellectual traditions of Vanuatu
In particular, the third point has the potential to liberate IGF research from West-centric debate and open a more multi-layered discursive space.
Primary Sources
- IGF Secretariat. Annual Reports of Vanuatu IGF.
- Vanuatu IGF 2023 Port Vila Conference Materials.
- Japan IGF Support Organization. https://japanigf.jp/
- Nakazawa Yuki Blog. https://nkzw.jp/category/igf/
Secondary Sources (Philosophy)
- Works of Taha Jabir Alalwani et al. (representative texts of Islamic Political Thought)
*This piece belongs to the academic essays (philosophy series). The author's views do not necessarily represent those of any institutional affiliation. Feedback and critique are welcome.*
更新履歴
第1稿投稿 2026年6月8日 16時14分（記事コンテンツアップ）
— 中澤祐樹
