I wonder how many of our leading politicians from the last twelve years will still be remembered in six hundred years time like Ibn Khaldun - though to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure how much Ronald Reagan remembered him, as opposed to reading his name off of the autocue.

There is always one subject guaranteed to dominate the news. The main news last week, mushrooming this week, and perhaps driving us crazy for many weeks to come - watching our democratic machinery in action. The elections for the leadership of the Party, the Government, and some parts of the Country, are a time when we focus once more on the power of the Vote.

In this case, as in many others, the voting will only be done by MP's. Immediate decision making power resides with the representatives of the people, though of course, they will be expected to consult with a few of the people they represent.

It's just one of several systems that are used, to come to our democratic decisions. We accept that you don't have a national referendum to decide on a Party Leader, nor do we vote for our Head of State, though we do try to restrict the unlimited power of kings through the Mother of Parliaments.

But many of the states emerging as the post-colonial muslim world have different systems, and when it's so hard to understand our own, what chance of getting a grip on the factional intricacies of distant countries? In the confusion there's a tendency in the West to treat all Islamic movements as anti-democratic. But Qur'an says "their affairs are by consultation among them". The responsibility for political decision-making rests with the people, the group. Power belongs only to God.

Now, even Ronald Reagan had heard of the 14th century muslim scholar Ibn Khaldun. In his analysis of human history he describes how dynastic power can only be attained initially through the strength which comes from the affection of a group willing to fight and die for each other. An established dynasty may dispense with public affection, but harshness weakens their authority and usually causes its destruction.

Ibn Khaldun equates good rulership with mildness, and Muhammad said "Follow the pace of the weakest among you". Those who are lucky enough to have the capacity to forge ahead must remember to ease the journey of those less fortunate than themselves. Power that estranges the community tends to destroy the one who wields it.