Journal of Social-Political Studies of Iran's Culture and History

One of the most magnificent manifestations of architecture in Islamic civilization is Iranian architecture, which is rooted in Islamic culture and shaped by unique celestial and mystical elements based on aesthetic and creative principles. Iranian architecture is formed upon distinctive and precise design founded on geometric principles, symmetry, symbolism in form, ornamentation, and structural elements. This study, employing a descriptive-analytical approach based on both library and field research methods, seeks to answer the question of how the grandeur of Islamic culture is reflected through the evaluation of Safavid-era architecture in the city of Sabzevar. The findings indicate that Safavid architecture in Sabzevar was predominantly based on simple and functional principles of elements and decorations. The architectural decorations of the Safavid period, utilizing plasterwork and tilework, were aligned with the fundamental concepts of Islam. The use of color schemes and muqarnas work reflects the emphasis placed on religious and national identity during that period, confirming the identity-constructing role of the structures from this era.

This article reviews the life of Khwaja Nizam al-Mulk al-Tusi, the powerful vizier of the Seljuks, and seeks to answer the question of his role in shaping the cultural and political relations between the Great Seljuks and the Abbasid Caliphate. It examines how Khwaja attempted to establish a harmonious relationship between the monarchical system and its absolute authority, and the religious system and the spiritual prestige of the caliphate, while simultaneously facilitating the political and military support of the monarchy for the caliphate and the political and spiritual endorsement of the caliphate for the monarchy. Therefore, some of Khwaja's actions—such as the establishment of cultural centers, mosques, and madrasas—are analyzed in the context of training the personnel required by the Seljuk administration, all of whom were to be directly supervised by individuals aligned with Khwaja’s thought and sectarian orientation. These institutions served to assist him in achieving his political, cultural, and administrative objectives, especially considering that all his officials were required to adhere strictly to the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence and follow Khwaja’s religious, political, and cultural ideologies. This ensured the realization of his goals: maintaining his unrivaled authority, preserving the Seljuk state, establishing good relations with the Abbasid Caliphate, and countering the Isma'ilis—who posed a threat to Seljuk rule in Iran—and the Fatimids, who were enemies of the Abbasid Caliphate and the Sunni world at the time.

The emergence of social media has played an unparalleled role in shaping public opinion, fostering cultural norms, and influencing international relations. These platforms, due to their extensive reach, persuasive power, and ability to simultaneously reflect social realities, have provided an opportunity to highlight the soft power of nations. The objective of this study is to examine the impact of social media on Iran’s international image and to elucidate the role of soft power in enhancing Iran’s global standing. This research is quantitative in nature and employs a survey method. The statistical population consists of 190 experts and specialists in communications and political science from the University of Tehran, Shahid Beheshti University, and the School of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Based on Morgan’s table, a sample of 44 participants was selected. The data collection tool was a researcher-designed questionnaire, whose validity was confirmed by experts, and reliability was verified using Cronbach’s alpha (0.78). The findings indicated a significant and positive relationship between the soft power of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its impact on social media (correlation coefficient = 0.815). Additionally, soft power demonstrated a direct and strong correlation with components such as awareness-raising (0.758), agenda-setting (0.655), opinion expression (0.585), and the creation of national and transnational solidarity (0.805). The results revealed that strengthening soft power in social media facilitates increased public awareness, reinforces national and transnational cohesion, and counters biased narratives. Therefore, policymaking in this domain can contribute to enhancing Iran’s international position.

Government policy-making in the cultural sphere varies depending on their definition of culture and their approach to cultural excellence, leading to diverse orientations. The primary objective of cultural policy-making is to control or direct culture. One of the domains both influenced by culture and influencing it, which has consistently been of interest to governments, is cyberspace. Therefore, it is essential to adopt a cultural policy model for user engagement in cyberspace that aligns with and is based on the Islamic-Iranian culture. The main objective of this study is to explain the components and approaches through which the key challenges and obstacles to Iran’s cultural policy-making in cyberspace can be identified. This research evaluates the influential components of Iran’s cultural policy-making in cyberspace. The present article employs a descriptive-analytical method and utilizes library sources. The research hypothesis posits that the cultural policy-making strategy in cyberspace is based on a gradual incremental change approach, shaped by obstacles such as the lack of efficient communication management, disregard for new global trends, and the failure to employ analyzable and assessable modern tools. The findings of the study indicate that parallel and misaligned policy-making institutions, the lack of connection between policy-making bodies and academic and research communities in this field, and the adoption of repressive approaches are among the key challenges and obstacles to Iran’s cultural policy-making in cyberspace. Additionally, the cyberspace policy-making strategy can be revised and improved based on effective communication management, attention to contemporary cultural issues, and the utilization of modern virtual tools within a collaborative approach.

This article examines social mobility and its impact on development and lifestyle in Iran. Social mobility refers to the actions and interactions of individuals within the social structure and system. Development and progress represent a fundamental transformation and a multidimensional process in societies, serving as the basis for movement and social action among individuals and groups in various spheres of life. Lifestyle and life patterns emerge from the preferences, behaviors, and orientations of individuals, groups, or societal culture. Accordingly, the researcher aims to answer the following question: Is social mobility, along with lifestyle choices and social actions of individuals and groups, influenced by developmental programs? This study is conducted based on Talcott Parsons’ theory of social action. The research findings indicate that the components of social mobility and development influence social behavior and individuals’ choice of lifestyle patterns in developing societies. Interpersonal and group interactions and their choices provide the context and foundation for improving and enhancing economic, social, and cultural well-being. Furthermore, they demand the development of a lifestyle aligned with desirable and modern patterns from the structure of the socio-political system.

During recent decades, the British philosophical movement known as critical realism has raised doubts about the philosophy of the social sciences. Critical realism has tried to combine paradigms and seeks a new definition of reality, knowledge and research. The purpose of this article is to examine the ontological, epistemological and methodological foundations of the two paradigms of experimental realism and critical realism, and to reveal the contrasts between these two paradigms; Therefore, by examining the main claims of experimental realism in the above three areas, this article will criticize these views from the perspective of critical realism, of course, emphasizing Roy Bhaskar's views and opinions.

Security is one of the most important and controversial issues and concepts that have been brought up and paid attention to in societies and human groups today. Every day in magazines and media, experts comment on this matter, various theories and thoughts on how to create, strengthen and continue, effective areas in strengthening and formation, how to weaken and decay and its different types and dimensions have been proposed and published. The consensus point is the multiplicity of factors affecting security. Different experts such as philosophers, politicians, sociologists and psychologists have talked about security and tried to describe, explain and explain it in different ways and types. Philosophers believe that people prefer living in a safe society to living in a tense and insecure society; Some experts believe that the most important task of the government is to create, maintain, and develop security.

Pardeh-Khani, as one of the Iranian ritual ceremonies, is among the oldest forms of solo and traditional performances with significant potential in the field of interactive arts in Iran and globally. Ritual performance art serves as a unique communicative tool and method, holding a significant role and position in the indigenous cultures of nations. The present study seeks to explore the nature of the audience’s relationship with the performative work in Pardeh-Khani and the capacity of this art form to actively and effectively engage the audience. Additionally, it investigates whether the reproduction of identity and cultural themes within ritual arts is achievable through Pardeh-Khani. Therefore, the role of ritual arts in interactive and participatory models with the audience is examined within the framework of field-based Pardeh-Khani. The study further analyzes the elements of Pardeh-Khani separately, including the Pardeh-Khan (storyteller), the Pishkhan (narrative prologue), and the Pardeh (curtain), as well as the methods of audience engagement with the performance. This study is based on a descriptive-analytical research method. The sources of research and data collection methods include library resources and field observations. According to the findings of this research, the authors have designed a sustainable development model in which ritual arts can contribute to the revival and reinforcement of contemporary social identity and the enhancement of collective unity, ultimately leading to a form of sustainable development. The results of this study indicate that field-based Pardeh-Khani facilitates active engagement with the audience. Moreover, the identity, cultural, and ritual dimensions of this art form can contribute to sustainable development and the lasting presence of its themes within society.