Written by: Shahab al-Khorasani
The most crucial principle for governing a society or a country is the consent, support, and backing of the people. No rule can be established over a society without the approval of its people because the power held by the people surpasses any military or force.
It is the people who bring governments into power, and it is these same people who can dismantle them. An illustrative case of this is Afghanistan. The republic rose to power with the assistance of the U.S. and NATO, with considerable financial resources being invested in its establishment. However, lacking legitimacy and the support of the people, the republic ultimately collapsed.
The people sided with the Taliban, offering unwavering support and cooperation. Consequently, they emerged victorious over all opposing forces. The Taliban made no pledges, yet their actions far exceeded the promises made by the leaders of the republic.
ISIS, characterized as a terrorist entity and organization, functions solely through acts of terrorism. Instead of earning the satisfaction and approval of the people, they resort to violence, imposing their laws forcibly. Governing a society in this manner proves to be unattainable.
Another fundamental principle of governance is safeguarding the people’s wealth, lives, and dignity. However, rather than protecting them, ISIS engages in looting. As evidenced in various reports, in numerous regions of Syria and Iraq, ISIS forcefully seizes the wealth of the populace, resorting to violence if met with resistance.
In addition to theft and plunder, they also partake in kidnapping as another form of criminal activity. To secure the release of the abducted individuals, exorbitant sums of money are demanded from their families. In cases of refusal, the victims are tragically met with death.
Furthermore, within the territories governed by ISIS, severe oppression is inflicted upon the people. They epitomize rulers of brutality and force, which elucidates the diminishing extent of their influence, with their territorial control dwindling day by day.