The Modern Revolutions of Iran: Civil Society and State in the Modernization Process
In: Citizenship studies, Band 1, Heft 2, S. 173-198
ISSN: 1362-1025
Explores two major transformations in the modern history of Iran: the Constitutional Revolution of 1905-1909 & the Islamic Revolution of 1977-1979, focusing on the question of why the clergy did not take political power in the Constitutional Revolution, when Iran was a traditional society, yet succeeded in doing so in modern (1970s) Iran. It is contended that the change of social institutions during a period of rapid authoritative modernization significantly influenced the constellation of power between civil society & state. As a result of rapid modernization, traditional civil society, which was based on strong ties between the Shi'i clergy & the bazaris, changed drastically & was marginalized. Modern socioeconomic & administrative developments & the creation of new social groups, in turn, contributed to the formation of a modern civil society, which periodically played a significant role in the political life of Iran. Socioeconomic changes brought about by Pahlavi Shahs (1924-1979) through rapid & authoritative modernization created new urban social groups who became important factors in making the Islamic Revolution. In particular, the urban marginal groups, "the dispossessed," engaged in frequent confrontations with authorities & provided the radical clergy with a "social army" for revolutionary mobilization & dominant influence. 86 References. Adapted from the source document.