Democracy in Modern Iran : Islam, Culture, and Political Change

New perspectives on Iran's relationship to democracyCan Islamic societies embrace democracy? In Democracy in Modern Iran, Ali Mirsepassi maintains that it is possible, demonstrating that Islam is not inherently hostile to the idea of democracy. Rather, he provides new perspective on how such a political and social transformation could take place, arguing that the key to understanding the integration of Islam and democracy lies in concrete social institutions rather than pre-conceived ideas, the every day experiences rather than abstract theories. Mirsepassi, an Iranian native, provides a rare inside look into the country, offering a deep understanding of how Islamic countries like Iran and Iraq can and will embrace democracy.Democracy in Modern Iran challenges readers to think about Islam and democracy critically and in a far more nuanced way than is done in black-and-white dichotomies of Islam vs. Democracy, or Iran vs. the West. This essential volume contributes important insights to current discussions, creating a more complex conception of modernity in the Eastern world and, with it, Mirsepassi offers to a broad Western audience a more accurate, less clichéd vision of Iran's political reality. New perspectives on Iran's relationship to democracy Can Islamic societies embrace democracy? In Democracy in Modern Iran , Ali Mirsepassi maintains that it is possible, demonstrating that Islam is not inherently hostile to the idea of democracy. Rather, he provides new perspective on how such a political and social transformation could take place, arguing that the key to understanding the integration of Islam and democracy lies in concrete social institutions rather than pre-conceived ideas, the every day experiences rather than abstract theories. Mirsepassi, an Iranian native, provides a rare inside look into the country, offering a deep understanding of how Islamic countries like Iran and Iraq can and will embrace democracy. Democracy in Modern Iran challenges readers to think about Islam and democracy critically and in a far more nuanced way than is done in black-and-white dichotomies of Islam vs. Democracy, or Iran vs. the West. This essential volume contributes important insights to current discussions, creating a more complex conception of modernity in the Eastern world and, with it, Mirsepassi offers to a broad Western audience a more accurate, less clichd vision of Irans political reality. Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgments......Page 8 Preface: “Where Is My Vote?”......Page 10 Introduction: Democracy and Culture......Page 18 1 The Origins of Secularism in Europe......Page 42 2 Modern Visions of Secularism......Page 66 3 A Critical Understanding of Modernity......Page 82 4 Intellectuals and Democracy......Page 98 5 Religious Intellectuals......Page 120 6 Alireza Alavi-Tabar and Political Change......Page 142 7 The Predicaments of Iranian Public Intellectuals......Page 166 8 An Intellectual Crisis in Iran......Page 186 Conclusion: Modernity and Its Traditions......Page 202 Notes......Page 210 A......Page 222 B......Page 223 D......Page 224 E......Page 225 H......Page 226 I......Page 227 L......Page 228 M......Page 229 P......Page 230 R......Page 231 S......Page 232 T......Page 233 Z......Page 234 About the Author......Page 236 Introduction: Democracy And Culture -- The Origins Of Secularism In Europe -- Modern Visions Of Secularism -- A Critical Understanding Of Modernity -- Intellectuals And Democracy -- Religious Intellectuals -- Alireza Alavi-tabar And Political Change -- The Predicaments Of Iranian Public Intellectuals -- An Intellectual Crisis In Iran -- Conclusion: Modernity And Its Traditions. Ali Mirsepassi. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Can Islamic societies embrace democracy? This title maintains that it is possible, demonstrating that Islam is not inherently hostile to the idea of democracy. It argues that the key to understanding the integration of Islam and democracy lies in social institutions as well as the every days experiences.