Intellectual Discourse and the Politics of Modernization: Negotiating Modernity in Iran (Cambridge Cultural Social Studies)

In this thought-provoking study, Ali Mirsepassi explores the concept of modernity, exposing the Eurocentric prejudices and hostility to non-Western culture that have characterized its development. Focusing on the Iranian experience of modernity, he charts its political and intellectual history and develops a new interpretation of Islamic Fundamentalism through the detailed analysis of the ideas of key Islamic intellectuals. The author argues that the Iranian Revolution was not a simple clash between modernity and tradition but an attempt to accommodate modernity within a sense of authentic Islamic identity, culture and historical experience. He concludes by assessing the future of secularism and democracy in the Middle East in general, and in Iran in particular. A significant contribution to the literature on modernity, social change and Islamic Studies, this book will be essential reading for scholars and students of social theory and change, Middle Eastern Studies, Cultural Studies and many related areas. In This Study, Ali Mirsepassi Explores The Concept Of Modernity, Exposing The Eurocentric Prejudices And Hostility To Non-western Culture That Have Characterized Its Development. Focussing On The Iranian Experience Of Modernity, He Charts Its Political And Intellectual History And Develops A New Interpretation Of Islamic Fundamentalism Through The Detailed Analysis Of The Ideas Of Key Islamic Intellectuals. The Author Argues That The Iranian Revolution Was Not A Simple Clash Between Modernity And Tradition But An Attempt To Accommodate Modernity Within A Sense Of Authentic Islamic Identity, Culture And Historical Experience. He Concludes By Assessing The Future Of Secularism And Democracy In The Middle East In General, And In Iran In Particular. This Book Will Be Essential Reading For Scholars And Students Of Social Theory And Change, Middle Eastern Studies, Cultural Studies And Many Related Areas.--jacket. Introduction: Modernity And Culture -- 1. Western Narratives Of Modernity. Orientalism And The Occidentalist Discontent. Montesquieu's Persian Letters. Hegel: The Colonization Of World History. Karl Marx: The Materialist Narrative Of Modernity. The Popularization Of The Islamic Other -- 2. Reconciling With The West's Other. The Mashruteh Movement: Reconciliation Through Capitulation -- 3. The Crisis Of Secularism And The Rise Of Political Islam. The Decline Of Democratic Secularism (1941-53). Modernization And Its Discontent. The Politicization Of Shi'ism. Reform In Shi'i Institutions -- 4. Islam As A Modernizing Ideology: Al-e Ahmad And Shari'ati. Al-e Ahmad: Return To The Roots Ali Shari'ati: Islamic Ideology As An Authentic Discourse. Ali Mirsepassi. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 216-223) And Index. In this thought-provoking book, Ali Mirsepassi explores the concept of modernity and exposes the Eurocentric prejudices underlying its development. He provides a new interpretation of Islamic Fundamentalism through a detailed analysis of the ideas of key Islamic intellectuals and argues that the Iranian Revolution was not a simple clash between modernity and tradition but an attempt to accommodate modernity within a sense of authentic Islamic identity and culture. He concludes by assessing the future of secularism and democracy in the Middle East in general, and in Iran in particular. As recent debates surrounding the phenomenon of "post-colonialism" have amply demonstrated, the European "other" played an important role in Western self-definition of its modernity. Examines Modernity In The Context Of Islamic Fundamentalism And The Iranian Revolution.