Political culture and state evolution in Iran. A cultural history approach

Journal title STORIA URBANA
Author/s Mahmoud Sariolghalam
Publishing Year 2011 Issue 2011/131 Language Italian
Pages 17 P. 35-51 File size 487 KB
DOI 10.3280/SU2011-131003
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The article focuses on the evolution of the Iranian governance, considering the post-1979 period, and investigating the weaknesses and the strengths of the Iranian state structures. Authoritarianism and a peculiar geopolitical role are of particular importance in explaining why this country has experienced such a tumultuous past. In particular, its geographical position has been the cause of the over-emphasis of the threat to nation al security, whilst the economic growth and political efficiency have never been perceived as priorities. The essay considers the issue of national identity too. The Iranian identity is basically contested, as it drowns down its roots from three different contexts, namely nationalism, Islam and a philosophical and ancient intimacy with Western intellectual history. These "sources of identity" are in perpetual conflict. This identity and a contested model of government make the national political culture and governance instable.

Keywords: Identity crisis Political culture Governance

Mahmoud Sariolghalam, Cultura politica ed evoluzione dello stato in Iran. Un approccio di storia culturale in "STORIA URBANA " 131/2011, pp 35-51, DOI: 10.3280/SU2011-131003