This book is about issues that have attracted the attention, affected the thoughts and behaviors, and challenged the religion and culture, of Iranians since the beginning of the twentieth century. For Iranians, democracy has been both a desire and a challenge, an end and an instrument, and a known and an unknown phenomenon. In the last century, much of the political energy of Iranian society has been directed toward achieving democracy. In their struggle for democracy, thousands of Iranians have lost their lives in the battle with autocracy and dictatorship. As an instrument, the concept of democracy has often been invoked by the Iranian elite to mask their autocratic political ambitions and undemocratic practices. As a challenge, democracy has raised serious questions about the cultural, political, and economic structures of the Iranian society. Iranians have come to know about democracy since the Constitutional movement of 1905-11, through which some of the most important elements of democracy such as parliament, elections, and voting rights were established. However, the Iranian society still lacks genuine democratic processes for insuring full participation of all its citizens in the political process. While genuine democratic values are not alien to the Iranian culture, nonetheless the practical relationships between the ruler and ruled, men and women, parents and children, teachers and students, managers and workers, and clergy and believers are hierarchical, undemocratic, and sometimes repressive. Asking why this is so is a valid question. In other words, why, despite, a century of struggle, have Iranians not been able to establish a democratic political structure in their society and adopt a democratic culture in their relationships with each other in the family, schools, mosques, workplaces, and larger social arena? As a collection of articles written during the past five years, this book attempts to illuminate these issues and search for an answer to the above question.
Book Description
IRANIAN CULTURE, CIVIL SOCIETY, AND CONCERN FOR DEMOCRACY (Farhang-e Ir'ani, J'ame'eh- ye Madani, va Daghdagh-ye Demokr'asi) (In Persian).
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Ali Akbar Mahdi is an associate professor of sociology at Ohio Wesleyan University. He has authored other books on the Iranian family, sociology in Iran, and resources for teaching development. His articles are published in both Persian and English scholarly and popular journals. He has served as executive director of the Center for Iranian Research and Analysis (CIRA), editor of the Michigan Sociological Review and president of Michigan Sociological Association.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Very Good Book,
By A Customer
This review is from: Iranian Culture, Civil Society, and Concern For Democracy (Persian Edition) (Paperback)
This is a very good book because it deals with some of the most important issues (like tolerance/intolerance, cultural invasion/cultural infusion, revolution/reform) in Iranian history and society. The author deals with these issues very sensibly and fairly. His sense of fairness in dealing with divisive issues in the Iranian politics and society is really respectable. I recommend this book to those who care to see Iranian issues from a progressive and multi-dimensional perspective.
5.0 out of 5 stars
An passionate call for pluralism in Iran,
By A Customer
This review is from: Iranian Culture, Civil Society, and Concern For Democracy (Persian Edition) (Paperback)
I read this book and found it very interesting, refreshing, and enlightening. The author's passion for tolerance, dialogue, and respect for pluralism in the Iranian society is both admirable and inspiring. I recommend it to any Iranian who is interested in seeing democracy in that country.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not understand Islam and Rohaniyat,
By A Customer
This review is from: Iranian Culture, Civil Society, and Concern For Democracy (Persian Edition) (Paperback)
This person does not understand the significant role of Islam and Rohaniyat in Iran. Iran is an Islamic country and Western democracy is no solution for it. Rohaniyat has been an important force in shaping Iran and continues to do so, no matter what western loving intellectuals like this author say and wish. The only thing I liked about this book is its Farsi language. For a person who does not live in Iran, the language of the book is clear, nice, and eloquent.
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