Borders and Brethren: Iran and the Challenge of Azerbaijani Identity (BCSIA Studies in International Security) [Paperback]

Brenda Shaffer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0262692775 | ISBN-13: 978-0262692779 | Publication Date: July 1, 2002

The Azerbaijani people have been divided between Iran and the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan for more than 150 years, yet they have retained their ethnic identity. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of an independent Azerbaijan have only served to reinforce their collective identity.In Borders and Brethren, Brenda Shaffer examines trends in Azerbaijani collective identity from the period of the Islamic Revolution in Iran through the Soviet breakup and the beginnings of the Republic of Azerbaijan (1979-2000). Challenging the mainstream view in contemporary Iranian studies, Shaffer argues that a distinctive Azerbaijani identity exists in Iran and that Azerbaijani ethnicity must be a part of studies of Iranian society and assessments of regime stability in Iran. She analyzes how Azerbaijanis have maintained their identity and how that identity has assumed different forms in the former Soviet Union and Iran. In addition to contributing to the study of ethnic identity, the book reveals the dilemmas of ethnic politics in Iran.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the few works that looks seriously at Iranian Azerbaijan, Shaffer's book is a major contribution to the history of both Iranian and Soviet nationality policies." Ronald Grigor Suny, Professor of Political Science, University of Chicago

"A very comprehensive and interesting intellectual endeavor that will interest specialists on identity, the Middle East, and post-Soviet studies, as well as the citizens of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan." Hamlet Isaxanli, President and Founder of Khazar University, Baku, Azerbaijan

About the Author

Brenda Shaffer is Research Director of the Caspian Studies Program at Harvard University. She is the author of Borders and Brethren: Iran and the Challenge of Azerbaijani Identity (MIT Press, 2002).

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262692775
• ISBN-13: 978-0262692779
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,558,930 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, March 5, 2010

By 

T. Freeman "South Azerbaijan" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Borders and Brethren: Iran and the Challenge of Azerbaijani Identity (BCSIA Studies in International Security) (Paperback)

An excellent book to highlight the plight of Azerbaijani people in Iran under Persian apartheid. Azerbaijanis are suffering from one of the worst racial discriminations today in the planet. They are not allowed to learn their language or have a media or even name their streets, businesses, or even kids with an Azerbaijani name. As a matter of fact Azerbaijani language is considered a foreign language according to Iranian regulations and is banned from any sort of usage unless authorized by the goverment!!!! Thanks Brenda.

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing rough guide to Azerbaijani society and history, March 1, 2004

By 

Mehdi farshbaf (Scandinavia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Borders and Brethren: Iran and the Challenge of Azerbaijani Identity (BCSIA Studies in International Security) (Paperback)

Although the title of the book might suggest otherwise Brenda Shaffer deals with both the independent Republic of Azerbaijan and their Southern co-ethnics in Iranian Azerbaijan. She offers the reader an extensive and a well-documented account of Azerbaijani Identity in Iran and Azerbaijan from beginning of the 20th century and up till present. She analyzes and gives new answers to old controversies; i.e. the deceleration of an autonomous republic in southern Azerbaijan at the end of the 2WW. Later on she offers a thorough analysis on the impact of the Iranian revolution, the Russian revolution, the break-up of the Soviet Union and the subsequent independence of northern Azerbaijan on the Azeri identity. Throughout the book she argues that there is a common Azeri identity that transcends the almost 200-year-old division between south and north Azerbaijan. The investigation and analysis does not limit itself to the historical and political arena, she does also deal with cultural, lingual, religious and social sides of life in the two Azerbaijans. All in all, the book stands out as an excellent rough guide to Azerbaijani society and modern history.

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars important study on Azerbaijani issue in Iran, March 21, 2006

By 

arf "arf" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Borders and Brethren: Iran and the Challenge of Azerbaijani Identity (BCSIA Studies in International Security) (Hardcover)

As seen from previous review the topic itself is complex, emotional and sensitive. People from Iran and Azerbaijan will differ their opinion on the subject of the book - the identity of Azerbaijanis in Iran. But the problem of Azerbaijani identity in Iran exists despite the denial of Iranians. Yes, some part of Azerbaijani population align themself with Iranian state and culture. But the significant other portion DO NOT. And this problem emerged not yesterday - we have to recall the attempt of Iranian Azerbaijanis to create its own state and unite with North in 1945-46 (I would advise Turaj Atabaki's book on this subject). With current Iranian regime, supression of Azerbaijani language and culture, the problem is going to be exacerbated. Brenda Shaffer did a good job enlighting this problem in last two decades of the XX century - aftermath of Iranian revolution, collapse of USSR and the establishment of independent Azerbaijan.