98549 - POLITICS AND SOCIETY IN CONTEMPORARY IRAN

Conoscenze e abilità da conseguire

The course examines the political and the social condition of contemporary Iran. Iran is one of the major players in the contemporary geopolitical situation and has a long history as a hegemonic power. It is also characterized by a vibrant civil society, a fact that is not usually acknowledged by commentators. Hence the focus of the course on both the political and social aspects. At the end of the course, students will acquire a better understanding of: The historical, political and social situation of contemporary Iran; the patterns of interaction between Iran and the different local political entities (Empires, nation-states, regional organizations); the interaction between Iran and Europe, North America, and Africa; the influence of international factors on Iranian domestic and foreign policy. Eventually, students will acquire the necessary tools to critically analyse the interaction between Iran, other regional forces and the international and global dynamics affecting the region. Students will also master the historiographic and political debate concerning Iran and, more generally, this region; finally, they will be able to elaborate analytical and interpretative outlooks about Iran and its role in international politics.

Contenuti

IRAN UNIBO 2021/22

Dear Colleagues,

At a time when the Middle East and particularly Iran remain in the focus of political, academic and public interest it is our immense pleasure to welcome you to the world of contemporary Iranian Studies.

Throughout millennia Iran has played an important role in global history offering enormous contribution to the world’s civilizational heritage. For twenty six centuries, like only a handful of nations, Iran has been continuously and almost uninterruptedly present on the geographic maps as a state entity and a subject of international relations.

Modern Iran has been a pivotal dynamic force in shaping the crucial region of the Middle East. Only in the XXth century it has undergone two revolutions. The Iran’s Islamic revolution (1978-79), the first of its kind in the modern Middle East, has invoked a paradigmatic shift and aftershocks still reverberating throughout the Muslim world.

Iran is a determining political, military, economic and cultural actor in several overlapping geostrategic configurations stretching from the Persian Gulf and the Indian ocean to the Caspian, from Central Asia to Turkey and Eastern Mediterranean, from the sands of Arabia to the peaks of Caucasus. Its key geostrategic location and immense mineral riches have stipulated significant role reserved for Iran in the context of multidimensional and often confrontational interaction of the global powers from the beginning of XIXth century to the beginning of the third millennium, as well as Iran’s continuous struggle for regaining and reasserting its own sovereign say in the world affairs. It can be argued without the slightest exaggeration that no serious study of contemporary international relations can be regarded completed without obtaining proper familiarization with Iran.

This new timely course dedicated to the Politics and Society of Contemporary Iran is an integral part of the continuous mission of Alma Mater Studiorum, Department of Political and Social Sciences and Professor Albert Bininachvili to provide intellectual leadership in the field of key area studies.

The course is designed primarily to familiarize the students with the pivotal events and processes of contemporary political history of Iran, its foreign and domestic policies.

Special focus on Iran’s diplomacy and international relations.

Apart of it, the course explores major themes and periods in the development of the Iranian society including Iran's transition from the secularism of the Pahlavi period to the strict norms and regulations of the Islamic theocracy. Among other social themes the course examines the multiple roots of social unrest including ethnic and religious minorities, opposition movements and organizations, images of the West in Iran, and Iran in the West (mutual perceptions and misperceptions), modern youth culture, gender segregation and its implications, and the struggle between modernity and traditionalism in contemporary Iran.

Particular emphasis on critical interdisciplinary analysis of determining transformational trends in Iranian society, the interplay between economics, religion, ideologies, and political cultures that shape Iran’s national character and behavior.

The role of Iran is analyzed in the context of socio-political development of the Broader Middle East and the Persianate world.

Overall, improving the understanding, perception and appreciation of Iran, its civilizational heritage and important multidimensional role in the contemporary world, equipping the students with adequate research tools to accomplish these ambitious tasks represent the core elements of our educational efforts and the main mission of this course.

Syllabus

COURSE CONTENTS

Formation of geographic boundaries of modern Iran. Russian expansion and its implications for Iran’s territorial integrity and sovereignty;

Great Game in Asia and its impact on Iran; British colonial policy and complexities of Iran –British relations;

Constitutional Revolution and the Russian crackdown;

Iran in the WWI. The first Russo-British occupation of Iran.

Influence of the Communist revolution in Russia and the early attempts of export of the bolshevism to Iran.

Iran in the interwar period. Fall of the Qajar and ascension of the Pahlavi Dynasty. Reza Shah’s reforms and making of the modern state.

Iran during the WW2. The allied occupation of Iran. Revival of the Communist movement in Iran. The Tudeh party. The Soviet Union, secessionist movements and challenges to the territorial integrity of Iran.

Iranian nationalism and movement for nationalization of Iranian oil. Mohammad Mosaddegh, the National Front and deepening of political crisis. Ideological and political struggle in the 1940’s and 50’s.

The 1953 coup d’etat and re- imposition of the Pahlavi dynasty. Iran under the Mohammad Reza Shah rule.

Iran in the context of the Cold War. Iranian diplomacy in the bipolar world: From Negative Equilibrium to the Positive Nationalism and Independent National Policy. Iran-US relations.

Transformation of Iranian society in the 1960’s and 70’s. The White Revolution and its opponents.

Role of Islam and clerical establishment in socio-political processes evolving in Iran.

Impact of the “oil boom” of the early 70’s on the Iranian economy, society and foreign policy.

Islamic revolution and collapse of the monarchy. The Iranian Left ( Mojahedine Khalgh, Fedayane Khalgh, Tudeh, Peykar etc.) in the revolution.

Political struggle in revolutionary Iran and Making of the Islamic Republic. Shaping of the theocratic autocracy regime of Velayate Faghih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist). Power and institutional structure of the IRI.

Institutions and values of Shi'i Islam. Analysis of the multiple ways in which it finds expression in the political culture of contemporary Iran. Structure of Islamic establishment. Methods of political mobilization.

Erosion of US influence in Iran. US –Iran relations: From the hostage crisis to the nuclear program.

Impact of Iran-Iraq war on consolidation of theocratic rule.

Ideological tenets of the foreign policy of IRI. Its changing interpretations: from equidistance to superpowers towards chronic anti-Americanism and Eastern tilt.

Key directions of IRI’s foreign and security policy, its international rivalries and alliances:

The Persian Gulf area: search for sustainable security arrangements

The Shi’ite Tier and projection of power/export of Islamic revolution in the Middle East;

Iran-US relations and WMD proliferation issues;

IRI’s search for new allies and alliances. Relations with Russia and China;

Complex Interaction with Turkey and policies towards the South Caucasus and Central Asia;

Challenges and opportunities in the Persianate world: IRI’s Relations with Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

Main trends in the socio-political and economic development of IRI. Expansion of role of the state. The IRGC in political life and economy.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

A successful completion of the module should enable a student to :

Fathom the complexity of political history and cultural and ethnic make up of Iran.

Be professionally prepared for critical assessment of the main stages in the modern and contemporary history of Iran within the wider context of socio-political development of the Broader Middle East.

Understand the power structure and modus operandi of the Islamic Republic of Iran, either domestically or in the international arena, peculiarities of the functioning of the decision-making mechanism, role and impact of rivalry and compromises between the various competing groups within the ruling regime on elaboration of the guidelines of foreign and domestic policies.

Obtain adequate research tools and develop ability to go beyond the stereotypical interpretations of Iran, for applied analysis of this nation’s realities on the basis of interdisciplinary approach.

Assess the interdependent roles of class, religion, ethnicity and gender in shaping politics of Iran.

Testi/Bibliografia

Mandatory Readings:

Abrahamian, Ervand. (2008). A History of Modern Iran. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

 

 Recommended Readings:

 Amanat, Abbas (2019). A History of Modern Iran, Yale University Press

Milani, Abbas (2011). The Shah. Stanford University Press

Katouzian, H. (2013). Iran : Politics, History and Literature. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Ansari, A. M. (2012). The Politics of Nationalism in Modern Iran. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Adib-Moghaddam, Arshin, What is Iran?, Cambridge University Press 2021

Michael Axworthy, Revolutionary Iran: History of the Islamic Republic, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013).

Metodi didattici

Traditional lecture.

Modalità di verifica e valutazione dell'apprendimento

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: final exam and substantial paper (15-20 pages).

The final grade will be based on the combined assessment of the constructive class participation, oral exam and the essay.

Topics must be chosen in consultation with the instructor prior to the beginning of the fourth week of class.

Strumenti a supporto della didattica

Whatever is considered necessary by the instructor.

Orario di ricevimento

Consulta il sito web di Albert Bininachvili