The Quest for Democracy in Iran : A Century of Struggle Against Authoritarian Rule

In A Book That Provides Essential Context For Understanding Modern Iran, Fakherddin Azami Present A Trenchant Narrative- Of The History Of Iran Over The Last Century, Covering Political-constitutional Developments, Society, Civic Culture, Ideology, Foreign Relations, The Economy, And The Confrontation Between Traditionalism And Modernity. In An Original Account Of The Revolution Of 1978-1979, Which Overthrew The Monarchy, Azimi Underlines The Salience Of Democratic Aspirations And Shows How The Rise Of The Islamic Republic Has Boosted The Deeply Rooted Democratic Urges In The Country. Based On Wide-ranging, Original Research, This Probing And Passionate Book Offers Vital Historical Analysis And Addresses Issues That Remain Profoundly Relevant To The Lives Of Contemporary Iranians, Equally Important, Azimi Dispels Many Misunderstandings About Democracy, Civic Life, And Islamism In Middle Eastern And Muslim Societies.--jacket. Prologue : In Search Of A National Covenant -- Constituting A National Community (1906-1953). Constitutional Trial And Error -- Pahlavist Absolutism -- Restoration Of Parliamentary Politics -- Authoritarian Supremacy : Consolidation And Collapse (1953-1979). The Trajectories Of Monarchism -- Revolution : Chronicle Of An Implosion -- The Edifice And Emplacements Of Royal Rule -- Elective Affinities : Western Imperial Interests And Authoritarian Monarchy -- The Architecture Of Royalist Hegemony -- A Culture Of Confrontation -- The Eclipse Of Popular Sovereignty : Iran Since 1979. The Unfolding Of Clerical Rule : Oligarchy By Divine Right? -- The Culture Of Politics : The Presence And Absence Of The Past -- Predicaments And Prospects -- Epilogue : The Resilience Of Modernity. Fakhreddin Azimi. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

The Constitutional Revolution of 1906 launched Iran as a pioneer in a broad-based movement to establish democratic rule in the non-Western world. In a book that provides essential context for understanding modern Iran, Fakhreddin Azimi traces a century of struggle for the establishment of representative government.

The promise of constitutional rule was cut short in the 1920s with the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty. Reza Shah, whose despotic rule Azimi deftly captures, maintained the façade of a constitutional monarch but greeted any challenge with an iron fist: “I will eliminate you,” he routinely barked at his officials. In 1941, fearful of losing control of the oil-rich region, the Allies forced Reza Shah to abdicate but allowed Mohammad Reza to succeed his father. Though promising to abide by the constitution, the new Shah missed no opportunity to undermine it.

The Anglo-American–backed coup of 1953, which ousted reformist premier Mohammed Mosaddeq, dealt a blow to the constitutionalists. The Shah’s repressive policies and subservience to the United States radicalized both secular and religious opponents, leading to the revolution of 1979. Azimi argues that we have fundamentally misunderstood this event by characterizing it as an “Islamic” revolution when it was in reality the expression of a long-repressed desire for popular sovereignty. This explains why the clerical rulers have failed to counter the growing public conviction that the Islamic Republic, too, is impervious to political reform—and why the democratic impulse that began with the Constitutional Revolution continues to be a potent and resilient force.

L. J. Alderink - Choice

The sophistication of [Azimi's] concepts of democracy and authoritarianism, his command of the sources, and his intellectual clarity and energy have combined to produce an insightful book that will draw the attention of all interested in Iranian culture and history.

"The Constitutional Revolution of 1906 launched Iran as a pioneer in a broad-based movement to establish democratic rule in the non-Western world. In a book that provides essential context for understanding modern Iran, Fakhreddin Azimi traces a century of struggle for the establishment of representative government. The promise of constitutional rule was cut short in the 1920s with the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty. Reza Shah, whose despotic rule Azimi deftly captures, maintained the façade of a constitutional monarch but greeted any challenge with an iron fist: "I will eliminate you," he routinely barked at his officials. In 1941, fearful of losing control of the oil-rich region, the Allies forced Reza Shah to abdicate but allowed Mohammad Reza to succeed his father. Though promising to abide by the constitution, the new Shah missed no opportunity to undermine it. The Anglo-American-backed coup of 1953, which ousted reformist premier Mohammed Mosaddeq, dealt a blow to the constitutionalists. The Shah's repressive policies and subservience to the United States radicalized both secular and religious opponents, leading to the revolution of 1979. Azimi argues that we have fundamentally misunderstood this event by characterizing it as an "Islamic" revolution when it was in reality the expression of a long-repressed desire for popular sovereignty. This explains why the clerical rulers have failed to counter the growing public conviction that the Islamic Republic, too, is impervious to political reform--and why the democratic impulse that began with the Constitutional Revolution continues to be a potent and resilient force."