Ali M. Ansari Books

Revised edition of: Modern Iran: the Pahlavis and after. Harlow, England: Pearson Education, 2007. číst celé

Previous edition titled: Modern Iran since 1921: the Pahlavis and after. číst celé

Both revolutionary and reactionary, the Islamic Republic of Iran has long been a conundrum for Western observers. A theocracy that aspires to a popular mandate; an anti-colonial state with imperial pretensions of its own: modern Iran is in many ways a reflection of its struggle to reconcile its traditions with the challenges of modernity. In this incisive book, globally renowned scholar of Iran Ali Ansari takes readers on a journey through the country’s turbulent history. Beginning with Iran’s fall from grace as a Great Power in the late 19th century, he explores its repeated attempts to modernise in a series of revolutionary movements from the Constitutional Revolution of 1906 to the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and the civil unrest that is breaking out today. From staunch ally to implacable foe, this book reveals how the experience of history and Iran’s encounter with ‘modernity’ have come to define it – and set it on an authoritarian path in confrontation with the West and, often, its own people.

The Constitutional Revolution of 1906 opened the way for enormous change in Persia, heralding the modern era and creating a model for later political and cultural movements in the region. Broad in its scope, this multidisciplinary volume brings together essays from leading scholars in Iranian Studies to explore the significance of this revolution, its origins, and the people who made it happen. As the authors show, this period was one of unprecedented debate within Iran’s burgeoning press. Many different groups fought to shape the course of the Revolution, which opened up seemingly boundless possibilities for the country’s future and affected nearly every segment of its society. Exploring themes such as the role of women, the use of photography, and the uniqueness of the Revolution as an Iranian experience, the authors tell a story of immense transition, as the old order of the Shah subsided and was replaced by new institutions, new forms of expression, and a new social and political order.

The book delves into the intricate relationship between Islam and democracy in Iran, particularly following the election of Hasan Rouhani in 2013, which marked a shift from the Ahmadinejad era. It offers a detailed examination of the Reform movement's rise and fall, drawing parallels with former President Mohammad Khatami. This updated edition includes insights into the 2009 presidential election crisis and an exploration of reformism's historical context, providing a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and dynamics shaping Iran's political landscape and international relations.

Ansari makes the claim that Britain's strength lies in its ability of shape the popular imagination, both at home and abroad, and that an `excess of enthusiasm' may yet do untold damage to the fabric of a state and society that has been carefully constructed and will not be easily repaired.

This paper looks at the details of the political rise of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran and assesses his presidency to date within the context of the dynamics of Iranian politics. číst celé

Revised, updated, and expanded, this new edition details political developments in Iran since the summer of 2000. In expanding on arguments outlined in the first edition, the book looks at the increasing polarity of views and the changing nature of reformism in light of successive setbacks and growing international tensions.