Who governs the Islamic Republic of Iran? Who is a " reformer" ? Who is a " hard-liner" ? What do those terms really mean? These questions have emerged as the central enigmas of Iranian politics since the victory of reformist candidate Mohammad Khatami in Iran's presidential elections in May 1997. Successive electoral victories by Khatami and his political allies have raised expectations about the prospects for Iran's reform movement. But in a political system with myriad and overlapping centers of power, capturing the presidency and the parliament may not suffice. Deep policy differences among the various factions that constitute the " reform" movement, as well as the violent proclivities of its conservative " hard-line" adversaries, may frustrate efforts to bring about peaceful change to Iran's political system and even spur a violent backlash by opponents. Clearly, the success of the reform movement--and the evolution of a more benign Iran less out of tune with U.S. interests--is by no means assured. Who Rules Iran? analyzes the formal and informal power structures in the Islamic Republic and assesses both the future of the reform movement and the prospects for peaceful change in Iran. As U.S. policymakers begin their third decade of trying to avoid potential pitfalls and seize possible opportunities in formulating policy toward the Islamic Republic, this book will serve as an essential " guide to the perplexed."
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Wilfried Buchta, the permanent representative of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in Morocco, has authored numerous works on political and relitions developments in Iran.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Still a Classic,
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This review is from: Who Rules Iran? The Structure of Power in the Islamic Republic (Paperback)
Perhaps the best book out there in explaining the functioning of the political system of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Not only does it offer one of the most lucid analyses of the functions, mandates and workings of the different clerical councils and other institutions in the political system, it also sheds light on topics often neglected in the contemporary political science on Iran, i.e. dissident clergy, militant opposition in exile, relations between intelligence organizations and the judiciary, the governmental newspapers etc.
Based on meticulous research in Persian, Arabic, German and English. Unfortunately, no study has appeared ever after this one that succeeded in providing such an extensive, lucid and well-researched overview.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great, but very dated now,
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This review is from: Who Rules Iran? The Structure of Power in the Islamic Republic (Paperback)
This book is very informative and breaks down the intricacies of the government extremely well to even somebody who is a pro on the topic. BUT, this book is rather dated now so be aware of that factor. But other than that its a excellently organized book and very clear and concise with no fluff.
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First Sentence:
Despite violent revolutionary upheavals, a bloody war with Iraq, numerous internal political protests, and power struggles among the ruling elite, the Islamic Republic has managed not only to survive but also to maintain a considerable degree of political stability. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
ruling jurisprudent, clerical commissars, tionalist right, dissident murders, modernist right, preme leader, theological rank, revolutionary foundations, bazaar traders, intelligence minister, grand ayatollah, theological qualifications, leadership elite, ideological factions, informal power structure, clerical members, religious edict Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Council of Guardians, Assembly of Experts, United States, Special Clerical Court, Intelligence Ministry, Wilfried Buchta, Expediency Council, Servants of Reconstruction, Law Enforcement Forces, Mohammad Khatami, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Militant Clergy Association, Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Ansar-e Hezbollah, Hajariyan Kashani, Ministry of Intelligence, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Ayatollah Khomeini, Iranian Parliament, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Combatant Clerics Society, Mohammad Mohammadi Rayshahri, Central Sunni Council, Mojahedin-e Khalq New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Despite violent revolutionary upheavals, a bloody war with Iraq, numerous internal political protests, and power struggles among the ruling elite, the Islamic Republic has managed not only to survive but also to maintain a considerable degree of political stability. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
ruling jurisprudent, clerical commissars, tionalist right, dissident murders, modernist right, preme leader, theological rank, revolutionary foundations, bazaar traders, intelligence minister, grand ayatollah, theological qualifications, leadership elite, ideological factions, informal power structure, clerical members, religious edict Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Council of Guardians, Assembly of Experts, United States, Special Clerical Court, Intelligence Ministry, Wilfried Buchta, Expediency Council, Servants of Reconstruction, Law Enforcement Forces, Mohammad Khatami, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Militant Clergy Association, Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Ansar-e Hezbollah, Hajariyan Kashani, Ministry of Intelligence, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Ayatollah Khomeini, Iranian Parliament, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Combatant Clerics Society, Mohammad Mohammadi Rayshahri, Central Sunni Council, Mojahedin-e Khalq New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 30
books:
See all 30 books this book cites
4
books
cite this book:
- The Iranian Mojahedin by Ervand Abrahamian on page 72, page 120, and Back Matter
- The Constitution of Iran: Politics and the State in the Islamic Republic by Asghar Schirazi on page 55, page 63, and Back Matter
- Radical Islam: Iranian Mojahedin (Society & Culture in the Modern Middle East) by Ervand Abrahamian on page 72, page 120, and Back Matter
- The Iranian Revolution: Its Global Impact by John L. Esposito on page 56, and Back Matter
- The Iranian Military in Revolution and War by Sepehr Zabih on page 101, and Back Matter
See all 30 books this book cites
- Against the Modern World: Traditionalism and the Secret Intellectual History of the Twentieth Century by Mark Sedgwick in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Answering Only to God: Faith and Freedom in Twenty-First-Century Iran by Geneive Abdo in Back Matter
- Shrewd Sanctions: Statecraft and State Sponsors of Terrorism by Meghan L. O'Sullivan in Back Matter
- Answering Only to God: Faith and Freedom in Twenty-First-Century Iran by Geneive Abdo in Back Matter
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