It might surprise many to know that Iran had a working parliament (majles) as early as 1906. As far as Iranian history goes, this has to be one of the best overviews of Iran's last 100 years. The book begins with the Qajar dynasty in its dying days....
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It might surprise many to know that Iran had a working parliament (majles) as early as 1906. As far as Iranian history goes, this has to be one of the best overviews of Iran's last 100 years.
The book begins with the Qajar dynasty in its dying days. Iran's political borders are not what one might expect at the turn of the century. Protests that led to the 1906 revolution came from modern day Iraq, Karbala, Najaf as well as Iranian highlands around modern Tehran. When we think Iran, we think of the modern state and its boundaries, the supposed 'Persian' domination and Shi'a religiosity, Muslim extremism under Khomeini's ideas in Valayat e-Faqih (Jurist's Guardianship) an idea written about in the book called Hukumat Islami (Islamic government).
Before today's Iran there was an ebb and flow of intellectualism either suppressed or in full force guiding the will of the Iranian people. Abrahamian as an author is not pointing fingers but doesn't leave out the coups of 1941 and 1953 and the obvious self-interests of the United States, the UK and Russia. At times Iran was a pawn in the 'great game', too often to the detriment of a working parliament.
There has been a democratic flavor in Iran for over a century. The people have long-demanded it, regardless of whatever Shah or Ayatollah attempted to rule otherwise. The 1979 revolution sprang from intense oppression. Mohammad Shah, receiving large amounts of western aid, built up his country in the White Revolution. The reforms had the potential of enriching the entire nation yet sadly, the rich were heavily advantaged and the poor suppressed.
Abrahamian attempts to describe also the tension and utility that Islam has played for different governments in power. The religious seat at Qom has been as much a government ally or striking foe as it has been a religious educator. Besides the religious scholarly sector, Iran's politics have been influenced by the demands of the bazaar sector, the student sectors and the trade and craftsmen. When the majles was working, early on and just before Western instigated coups, there was healthy political, constructive debate.
Abrahamian does a great job of looking at the intertwining relationship between the economic sectors, religion, Shi'a philosophy and foreign policy to paint an easily understood picture of modern Iran. So where does one go from here? Just know that the Majles has been at the base of Iranian society for a long time.
It might surprise many to know that Iran had a working parliament (majles) as early as 1906. As far as Iranian history goes, this has to be one of the best overviews of Iran's last 100 years.
The book begins with the Qajar dynasty in its dying days. Iran's political borders are not what one might expect at the turn of the century. Protests that led to the 1906 revolution came from modern day Iraq, Karbala, Najaf as well as Iranian highlands around modern Tehran. When we think Iran, we think of the modern state and its boundaries, the supposed 'Persian' domination and Shi'a religiosity, Muslim extremism under Khomeini's ideas in Valayat e-Faqih (Jurist's Guardianship) an idea written about in the book called Hukumat Islami (Islamic government).
Before today's Iran there was an ebb and flow of intellectualism either suppressed or in full force guiding the will of the Iranian people. Abrahamian as an author is not pointing fingers but doesn't leave out the coups of 1941 and 1953 and the obvious self-interests of the United States, the UK and Russia. At times Iran was a pawn in the 'great game', too often to the detriment of a working parliament.
There has been a democratic flavor in Iran for over a century. The people have long-demanded it, regardless of whatever Shah or Ayatollah attempted to rule otherwise. The 1979 revolution sprang from intense oppression. Mohammad Shah, receiving large amounts of western aid, built up his country in the White Revolution. The reforms had the potential of enriching the entire nation yet sadly, the rich were heavily advantaged and the poor suppressed.
Abrahamian attempts to describe also the tension and utility that Islam has played for different governments in power. The religious seat at Qom has been as much a government ally or striking foe as it has been a religious educator. Besides the religious scholarly sector, Iran's politics have been influenced by the demands of the bazaar sector, the student sectors and the trade and craftsmen. When the majles was working, early on and just before Western instigated coups, there was healthy political, constructive debate.
Abrahamian does a great job of looking at the intertwining relationship between the economic sectors, religion, Shi'a philosophy and foreign policy to paint an easily understood picture of modern Iran. So where does one go from here? Just know that the Majles has been at the base of Iranian society for a long time.
