Iran A Revolutionary Republic In Transition

Is Iran a pariah state, or simply a misunderstood nation, undergoing a programme of modernization within its own traditions? This work examines the current role of Iran in the international arena, and particularly within the Middle East. Written from an insider's perspective, the text demystifies the complicated political history of a country that has evolved from a totalitarian regime to a democratic state founded on the popular vote of its people. After many centuries of oppression under tyrannical monarchies, the revolution gave the public the chance to voice their opinion for the first time. Their vote for an Islamic Republic led, in turn, to the remarkable election of Mohammad Khatami in 1997, with its incredible 20 million turnout, in the face of formidable opposition from traditionalist opponents. Examining the political and social changes within Iranian society from a historical perspective, this work goes on to look in detail at internal affairs since Khatami's election, and the ongoing political struggle between traditionalists and modernists.

Over 20 years after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the actors have changed, but the political institution and structure remains nearly identical. There is no genuine hegemonic consensus in the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI); basically, the same political tensions that contributed to the revolution are prevalent today. The only drastic difference is the shift in anger from the majority of the population demanding democratic reforms from the West to the ruling clerics. Similarly, state structure, political, and socioeconomic policies from 1979 to the present have been consequential in producing an ideological conflict between the ruling clerics who seek power and authority and the reformists who seek to implement policy reforms. The outcome of this political dilemma will dictate domestic politics as well as foreign policy in Iran. This thesis argues that pressure on Iranian foreign policy and domestic politics comes from the need to reconcile international concerns of Iranian interests with domestic concerns of Shi'i Islam and revolutionary ideology, which limits the policy options available to the Iranian government. This thesis examines the ideological struggle for control within the ruling elite and the decisive constraints it places on the range of economic and political options available to the ruling ulama.

Having been ruled, more or less continuously, by a range of monarchical dynasties for three millennia, the end of the monarchy in Iran was relatively sudden, taking place in two short years. Since then, Iran has gone through tumultuous change, yet is still apparently caught in a cycle of transition. Iran has now created a complex but unique and non-transferrable system of government, but the question to be asked is whether the Islamic republic has lived up to its founding expectations, serving the Iranian people and helping them to realize their aspirations. This book is the first comprehensive analytical study of the forces which have been shaping and changing modern Iran and its relations with the rest of the world. It looks at the roots of the 1979 revolution and the forces unleashed during the modernization process under the Pahlavi monarchy. Applying a range of theoretical approaches to understanding the Islamic republic’s neo-authoritarian political system, Anoushiravan Ehteshami reflects on how the country’s new elite emerged and how these new political forces have changed Iran, the stresses on its political system, the forces shaping the country’s political economy, and the Islamic republic’s international relations. As some of Iran's leaders appear to crave permanent revolution as their means of staying in power, this book argues that the struggle for the soul of the Islamic Republic has mired the country in a cycle of change: Constant reform and transition. The republic finds itself stuck in transition. Written in a clear and insightful manner, this book provides an unparalleled analysis of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a major regional actor and gives fresh insights into the political workings of the world’s only Shia, and revolutionary, Islamic republic. It will be of great importance to students and scholars of Middle East Politics and International Relations, as well as the policy community whose gaze is never too far from this unique country.

Amirahmadi focuses on the Iranian economy under the Islamic Republic, a subject that remains largely neglected in post-revolutionary Iranian research and analysis. Drawing from a wealth of primary sources, he uses an empirical-logical framework of analysis within a modified world-system perspective to offer a detailed and balanced picture of the macroeconomic trends, problems, and policies since 1976.

The works gathered here are based on recent intensive fieldwork in Iran by leading scholars of Iranian culture. The contributors cover a multitude of important topics such as civil society, foreign relations, Islamism, religious-secular debates, and women's issues. These essays challenge stereotypes that have developed about modern-day Iran and will stimulate debate and discussion among scholars and students of the Middle East.

Seminar paper from the year 2010 in the subject Politics - Region: Near East, Near Orient, grade: 1,7, University of Haifa (-), course: Political Economy of the Middle East, language: English, abstract: The Shah of Persia is dethroned – the Islamic Republic proclaimed. A pre-eminent Western ally becomes an archenemy of the USA. In this setting, the paper focuses on the economic implications of the revolution. It deals with the underlying principles for an Islamic economy and their implications. However, the Iran-Iraq War throws a curve in an even economic development. The paper also provides an analysis of the impact of the war on the economy. The question of economic transition toward Islamic state capitalism is still on the agenda. In the wake of the Arab revolutions both present and history will present examples. The Islamic Republic of Iran is among them.