State, Religion, and Revolution in Iran, 1796 to the Present (Middle East Today)

This book examines transformation of political and religious spheres in Iran from the start of the Qajar period to the dramatic post-election crisis of 2009. It challenges dominant scholarly assumptions about the influence of Shi'ism in Iranian culture and the role of religious elites. Two basic assumptions have shaped understanding of recent Iranian history. One is that Shi'ism is an integral part of Iran's religious and cultural landscape. The other is that the ulama (religious scholars) have always played a crucial role. This book challenges these assumptions and constructs a new synthesis of the history of state and religion in Iran from 1796 to the present while challenging existing theories of large-scale political transformation. Arguing that the 1979 revolution has not ended, Behrooz Moazami relates political and religious transformations in Iran to the larger instability of the Middle East region and concludes that turmoil will continue until a new regional configuration evolves Two Basic Assumptions Have Shaped Understanding Of Recent Iranian History. One Is That Shi'ism Is An Integral Part Of Iran's Religious And Cultural Landscape. The Other Is That The Ulama (religious Scholars) Have Always Played A Crucial Role. This Book Challenges These Assumptions And Constructs A New Synthesis Of The History Of State And Religion In Iran From 1796 To The Present While Challenging Existing Theories Of Large-scale Political Transformation. Arguing That The 1979 Revolution Has Not Ended, Behrooz Moazami Relates Political And Religious Transformations In Iran To The Larger Instability Of The Middle East Region And Concludes That Turmoil Will Continue Until A New Regional Configuration Evolves. Introduction: State, Religion, And Revolution In Iran, 1796 To The Present -- I: From Fragmented Political Authority To Central Bureaucratic Power, 1796-1963 -- The Political Authority Of The Qajar State, 1796-1925 -- Forming A Utilitarian Buffer State: The Pahlavis, 1921-1963 -- Ii: The Institutionalization Of The Shi'i Ulama, 1796-1963 -- Religious Revivalism And The Formative Phase Of Orthodoxy, 1796-1892 -- The Constitutional Moment: The Ulama And The Political Sphere, 1892-1921 -- The Nationalization Of Religious Morality And The Organizational Expansion Of The Ulama, 1921-1963 -- Iii: The Making Of The Islamic Revolution And Its Aftermath, 1963 To The Present -- The Islamization Of The Social Movements And The Revolution, 1963-1979 -- The Invention Of A Modern Theocracy: An Unfinished Revolution -- Conclusion: Making Sense Of The State, Religion, And Revolution. Behrooz Moazami. Includes Bibliographical References (pages [163]-196) And Index Review: "Adopting a longue duree perspective, Behrooz Moazami weaves the parallel yet interdependent narratives of state formation in Iran and the institutionalization of a differentiated religious field led by the ulama until they fuse dramatically in the Iranian Revolution: a revolution that remains unfinished as long as the fundamental tension between a theocratic regime and a citizens' republic remains unresolved. Moazami's comparative historical analysis challenges equally the historicist assumptions of Iranian particularism and the universalist assumptions of Western social scientific paradigms."--Jose Casanova, Professor of Sociology and Senior Fellow, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, Georgetown University, USA "This is a sophisticated examination of the complex and tortuous relationships between state and religion, politics and theology, monarchy and clergy, secularism and Islam in the course of the last two centuries in Iran. It is a useful read for sociologists and political scientists, as well as historians of modern Iran."--Ervand Abrahamian, Distinguished Professor of History, City University of New York, USA "Behrooz Moazami has written an excellent book that challenges prevailing theories of religion and politics in Iran. He presents a novel, convincing analysis of the parallel development of state making and building of religious institutions in Iran. It will be of interest to a broad audience within history, political science, sociology, and beyond."--Misagh Parsa, Professor of Sociology, Dartmouth College, USA Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Introduction: State, Religion, and Revolution in Iran, 1796 to the Present....Pages 1-7 Front Matter....Pages 9-9 The Political Authority of the Qajar State, 1796–1925....Pages 11-29 Forming a Utilitarian Buffer State: The Pahlavis, 1921–1963....Pages 31-52 Front Matter....Pages 53-53 Religious Revivalism and the Formative Phase of Orthodoxy, 1796–1892....Pages 55-76 The Constitutional Moment: The Ulama and the Political Sphere, 1892–1921....Pages 77-91 The Nationalization of Religious Morality and the Organizational Expansion of the Ulama, 1921–1963....Pages 93-113 Front Matter....Pages 115-115 The Islamization of the Social Movements and the Revolution, 1963–1979....Pages 117-134 The Invention of a Modern Theocracy: An Unfinished Revolution....Pages 135-154 Conclusion: Making Sense of the State, Religion, and Revolution....Pages 155-162 Back Matter....Pages 163-208