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

Two Sides of the Coin: Seven Fundamental Lessons from the Three Great Revolutions of the World (The French, Russian, and Iranian Constitutional Revolutions)

Majid Bahmanzadeh *

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.3.5.21

This study conducts a comparative analysis of three major world revolutions: the French Revolution (1789–1799), the Russian Revolution (1917), and the Iranian Constitutional Revolution (1905–1911), and identifies seven fundamental lessons derived from these historical events. Using a comparative-analytical method and drawing on credible historical sources, the study demonstrates that despite their differences in time and geography, these revolutions follow common patterns rooted in social, economic, and political discontent. The findings indicate that superficial reforms within authoritarian regimes are ineffective and incapable of preventing deep transformations. Furthermore, the threat of a return to despotism after a revolution—particularly in the absence of democratic institution-building—constitutes a serious risk. Institutionalizing revolutionary goals, as occurred in France, is essential for preserving revolutionary achievements. The role of religious institutions in these events has been dual-faceted, and managing the religion-politics relationship remains a central challenge. A rational approach to religion, active participation of the marginalized classes, and emphasis on the people's role as the true protagonists of revolution are additional lessons highlighted in this study. These results offer a framework for understanding the dynamics of revolutionary movements and provide practical guidance for societies in transition to avoid post-revolutionary failures.

Examining the Security Policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran in West Asia Based on the Discourse Analysis Method

Bahram Moradi

; Mohammad Ali Abdollahzadeh *

; Mehdi Zakarian Amiri

The discourse analysis method is one of the qualitative methods in political studies, employed to explain semantic systems that lead to the formation of a particular understanding regarding the role of individuals or actors within society or the international environment. The primary objective of employing this analytical method is to examine the ways and mechanisms through which a semantic system and discursive framework make a specific action or policy possible. To date, numerous studies in the field of political science have been conducted using the discourse analysis method. The main goal of this research is to apply discourse analysis to explain the security policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran in West Asia. Accordingly, the central research question is: how can Iran's security policies in West Asia be explained through the lens of discourse analysis? In response to this question, the hypothesis of the study posits that the Islamic Republic of Iran has sought to define its security policies in the West Asian region through the construction of a discursive articulation that transcends political and geographical boundaries. This articulation, in turn, has led Iran to play a more active role in the targeted region. The findings of the study indicate that the central signifier of this discourse revolves around the cessation of meaning-making with reference to the nodal point of liberating Jerusalem and the anti-Israeli stance, viewing Israel as a usurping regime. The research methodology employed in this study is descriptive-analytical, based on discourse analysis. Data collection has been carried out through documentary and library methods, utilizing both accessible and credible physical resources such as books and electronic resources, including academic books and articles published in scholarly journals.

Examining the Status of Women in Managerial Positions and Its Jurisprudential and Legal Challenges in the Iranian Legal System

Tahereh Sayadi *

Women's rights have historically not received adequate attention, especially in relation to their employment, which necessitates greater focus. This study investigates the status of women in managerial positions within the Iranian legal system using a documentary and library-based methodology. The research analyzes the jurisprudential and legal dimensions of the issue by utilizing a range of sources, including books, articles, official documents, reputable domestic and international websites, and interviews with experts. Within Shiite jurisprudence, the issue of women's governance has been seldom discussed. Contemporary Imami scholars, based on the requirement of masculinity (rajuliyyat) for a ruler or guardian (wali), generally do not consider women eligible to assume the presidency. This argument is particularly linked to the intersection of judgment (qadha) and guardianship (wilayah), as judgment is considered a prerequisite for guardianship in Imami jurisprudence. While women are entitled to participate in many social and legal domains, including public engagement in various sectors, structural limitations in practice hinder their participation in managerial positions. Given that the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran is based on Islamic jurisprudence, jurisprudential rulings (fatawa) play a decisive role in determining the status of women in these roles. Ultimately, invoking the principle of ijtihad responsive to temporal and spatial circumstances, this study aims to promote the status of women in elected and managerial guardianship positions.

Validation of the Model of Strengths, Weaknesses, Challenges, and Opportunities of the Metaverse in the Context of Iran’s Economic and Social Development

Amir Khodakhah

; Majid Radfar *

; Masomeh Reshad

The metaverse, as a new technology in the digital world, is poised to transform human life in the near future—so much so that entering the metaverse may be likened to humanity's transition into a new era. Like other communication tools, this platform has the potential to bring about social transformations and even influence beliefs and values. Accordingly, the present study conducts a sociological analysis of the opportunities and threats posed by the metaverse in the context of Iran’s economic and social development. From a goal-oriented perspective, this is an applied research study. Following the identification and extraction of strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and opportunities of the metaverse in the field of Iran’s economic and social development, a quantitative study was conducted to design a model and ensure the validity and appropriateness of the proposed framework. For this purpose, the model of strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and opportunities of the metaverse in economic and social development was examined using factor analysis. Based on the results, the components related to the strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and opportunities of the metaverse in this domain were validated. In this regard, establishing interaction protocols and standards, clarifying the legal dimensions of this space and its generated content, and enhancing governance in this realm are among the most important tasks facing policymakers and legislators. Therefore, ensuring cybersecurity and privacy, identifying potential risks in the metaverse, strengthening governance through a balance of security and freedom in the metaverse, and raising public awareness and education via the media for proper user engagement are deemed essential.

The Religious and Political Approach of Shah Abbas I Safavid in Dealing with Sunnis

Moosa Kosari Damirchi

; Amirteymour Rafiei *

; Seyed Hassan Quorishi Karin

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.3.5.15

The rise of the Safavid dynasty, founded on Shiite ideology, posed a direct challenge to the Sunni Ottoman Empire, which found the presence of this emerging power intolerable. Consequently, the Ottomans launched full-scale opposition against it. The issuance of fatwas declaring Shiites as deserving of death by Ottoman jurists and sultans, in response to the cursing of Sunni sanctities and the ensuing violence by Qizilbash Sufis and Safavid kings, significantly hindered the establishment of a stable and unifying government in Iran. Sunni neighbors, through repeated attacks on border regions and by enlisting discontented Sunnis within the country, frequently invaded Iran and contributed to internal instability. In this context, the emergence of Abbas I—a powerful monarch intent on reclaiming lost Iranian territories—marked a pivotal turn. With a policy of religious tolerance amid sensitive sectarian circumstances, he sought to utilize the potential of various ethnic and religious groups within the country to ensure national security and development. To this end, he not only curtailed the influence of Tabarra’iyan alongside the Qalandariyya and Qizilbash, who were notorious for incitement and sectarian discord, but also incorporated Sunnis into the military and assigned them official responsibilities. Furthermore, he drew upon the expertise of moderate Shiite scholars, thus employing a strategy of balance and moderation in national governance.

The Role of the Magi in Scientific Exchange with Greek and Babylonian Civilizations in the Fields of Philosophy, Astronomy, and Medicine

Hamideh Keshavarzi

; Mahmoud Jafary Dehaghi *

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.3.5.16

Ancient Iran holds significant importance and utility in terms of reevaluating and reconstructing the relationship between science and religion—one of the most controversial issues of the modern era. The reason for this significance lies in the presence of a clerical group known as the Magi in ancient Iran, particularly during the Median and Achaemenid periods. Due to historical and social circumstances, this group held a simultaneous monopoly over both religion and science, and their interpretations of phenomena had the power to dominate others. From the outset, due to their esteemed social status as religious representatives, the Magi were also able to establish a solid position within the social domain and jointly acquire monopolistic control over certain spiritual and worldly domains. One of these domains was science, which, due to its transcendent nature in antiquity, naturally fell under the monopoly of the Magi. Therefore, the present study, using a "qualitative method and document-based research," seeks to answer the question: What was the position of the Magi in the scientific structure of ancient Iran (Median and Achaemenid periods)? The research findings indicate that the Magi, as one of the most influential groups in ancient Iran, simultaneously held monopolies in both religion and science and engaged in reciprocal scientific interactions with other nations.

A Comparative Analysis of Architectural Decorations in the Safavid Era Structures with Emphasis on Iranian-Islamic Culture in the City of Sabzevar

Marjan Ghalehnovi *

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.3.4.22

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.

Comparative Analysis of Local Governance Patterns and Their Role in Shaping Cultural Identity and National Security in Iran

Seyed Sajjad Mousavi Nezhadbanam

; Mir Ghasem Banihashemi *

; Garineh Keshishyan Siraki

, Hasan khodaverdi

This study aims to examine the role of local governance patterns in shaping cultural identity and national security in Iran, employing a historical analysis method focused on four key periods (from the Constitutional Revolution to the present). The findings indicate that local governance in Iran has had a dual and complex relationship with these two components. In the realm of cultural identity, local participatory institutions (such as Anjoman-e Baladieh and city councils) during decentralized periods (the Constitutional Revolution and post-Islamic Revolution era) contributed to the enhancement of cultural self-awareness and national cohesion by recognizing ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity. In contrast, the centralization during the reigns of Reza Shah and Mohammad Reza Shah, by imposing a homogenized national identity and suppressing unofficial cultural expressions, led to social alienation and the weakening of cohesion. In the domain of national security, centralization based on powerful security institutions (both before and after the Islamic Revolution), although effective in creating short-term stability, led to the exacerbation of ethnic and sectarian divides and internal instability in the long run by ignoring local demands and perpetuating systemic discrimination. Conversely, participatory local governance (post-revolution councils), by gaining the trust of society, helped reduce tensions, although the influence of central institutions and resource limitations curtailed its effectiveness. Therefore, it can be concluded that sustainable national security and cultural cohesion in Iran are not achieved through opposition, but rather through the overlap of an efficient central authority and responsive local governance. In other words, the optimal governance model must historically balance territorial unity (through necessary centralization) and the recognition of the cultural and social rights of local communities (through decentralized participation).

About the Journal

The Journal of Social-Political Studies of Iran's Culture and History is published to enhance the academic and specialized level of the community and to introduce the scientific and research activities and investigative articles of faculty members, researchers, and scholars.

Objectives: Efforts and collaboration to develop political and social research in the contemporary history of Iran; commitment to establishing research areas and political and social studies in the contemporary history of Iran; creating convergence between political sciences and social sciences as fields of humanities.

Scope: Publication of scientific articles on various political and social aspects of the lives of the people of Iran throughout its contemporary history, with an emphasis on the following areas: theoretical and methodological discussions in the field of political and social studies; social and political strata and classes; social and political beliefs; social policies and political communities; social and political institutions; comparative studies of political and social fields of Iran and other countries; livelihood and daily life; population and migration; natural disasters; diseases; health and medicine; rural and urbanization; customs and traditions; pastoral and nomadic life; and other specific areas of research in political and social studies.

Current Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025): Serial Number 14

Published: 2025-06-21

Research

Validation of the Model of Strengths, Weaknesses, Challenges, and Opportunities of the Metaverse in the Context of Iran’s Economic and Social Development

Amir Khodakhah

; Majid Radfar *

; Masomeh Reshad

303-329
- PDF
A Paradigmatic Reflection on the Concept of Social Consensus

Bahram Sarmast *

1-19
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.4.1.1
Examining the Life and Reasons for the Banishment of Abu al-Fath Busti from the Court of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni

Zahra Fallah Haghighy Seyghalani

; Seyed Ali Akbar Abbaspour *

; Ramazan Seyghal

20-30
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.4.1.2
The Impact of Traditionalist Thought on Contemporary Art from the Perspective of Frithjof Schuon’s Ideas (Case Study: Sohrab Sepehri’s Paintings and Poetry)

Mozhgan mashofi

; Hossein Ardalani *

; Mohammadreza sharifzadeh

31-44
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.4.1.3
Knowledge and Epistemology in Modern Political Theology

Ehsan Ghazaghi

; Ali Shirkhani *

; Mohammad Torabi

45-58
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.4.1.4
Iranian National Identity and How to Strengthen it Through Social Policy-making

Majid Abbaszadeh Marzbali *

59-81
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.4.1.5
The Role of Social Networks in Political Awareness and Online Political Participation (Case Study: Students of Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch)

Ramin Shafiani

; Hamed Ameri Golestani *

; Hamed Mohagheghnia

, Fereydoon Akbarzadeh

82-97
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.4.1.6
Ayat Hashemi Rafsanjani's view on the legitimacy of the political system

Ramezanali Azadvari

; Hossein Abolfazli Karezi *

; Ali Salehi Farsani

98-120
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.4.1.7
Transformation in the Historical Thought of Qajar Historians (With Emphasis on the Historiography of Nazem al-Islam Kermani and Mehdi Malekzadeh)

Gholamreza Vafaee Mehr

, Mahboubeh Sharafi *

121-135
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.4.1.8
Al-Mulk Minister and military commands in the reign of Sanjar

samira Ghasemirad

; Amir Abdulahi *

; mahboob Mahdavian

136-152
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.4.1.9
The Impact of Social Media and Cyberspace on Citizens’ Electoral Behavior with an Emphasis on Political Participation in the 13th Presidential Election (in the Electoral Districts of Qasr-e Shirin, Sarpol-e Zahab, and Gilan-e Gharb)

Abas Azadi

; Nosrat Heidari *

; Shahram Fattahi

, Edris Beheshtinia

, Hamidreza Saeedynezhad

153-171
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.4.1.10
The Mughals and the Policy of Tolerance in India

Korosh Fathi *

; Iraj Rahmani Mirzaagha

, ُSeyyed Hasan Mahdikhani Sarvjahani

172-185
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.4.1.11
Libraries of Rey during the Safavid Era

Fatemeh Hossein Izadi

; Ramin Yalfani *

; Aliakbar Khedrizadeh

186-203
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.4.1.12
The Effects of China–U.S. Competition in the Persian Gulf on the National Security of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Mahin Nazari

; Nozar Shafiee *

; Nafiseh Vaez

204-221
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.4.1.13
Investigating the Relationships and Effects of the Social Change Approach on the Economic Recession of Handicrafts (Case Study: Handicrafts of Shiraz)

Eshrat Badr

; Gholamreza Jafarinia *

; Ensiyeh Mahini

222-241
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jspsich.4.1.14
The Impact of Elite Political Culture on the Decision-Making Process of the Nuclear Case During the Reformist (Khatami) and Justice-Oriented (Ahmadinejad) Presidencies

Ehsan Yousefi

; Mohammad Tohidfam *

; keyhan Barzegar

242-257
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
Strategies for Realizing the Civilizational Components of the Second Step of the Islamic Revolution Statement with Emphasis on Science, Spirituality, and Economy

Mohammad Mehdi Bagheri

; Alireza Golshani *

; Alireza Biyaban Nord Sarostani

258-277
- PDF
- SUMMARY AUDIO
Examining the Security Policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran in West Asia Based on the Discourse Analysis Method

Bahram Moradi

; Mohammad Ali Abdollahzadeh *

; Mehdi Zakarian Amiri

278-302
- PDF

View All Issues

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

Two Sides of the Coin: Seven Fundamental Lessons from the Three Great Revolutions of the World (The French, Russian, and Iranian Constitutional Revolutions)

Examining the Security Policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran in West Asia Based on the Discourse Analysis Method

Examining the Status of Women in Managerial Positions and Its Jurisprudential and Legal Challenges in the Iranian Legal System

Validation of the Model of Strengths, Weaknesses, Challenges, and Opportunities of the Metaverse in the Context of Iran’s Economic and Social Development

The Religious and Political Approach of Shah Abbas I Safavid in Dealing with Sunnis

The Role of the Magi in Scientific Exchange with Greek and Babylonian Civilizations in the Fields of Philosophy, Astronomy, and Medicine

A Comparative Analysis of Architectural Decorations in the Safavid Era Structures with Emphasis on Iranian-Islamic Culture in the City of Sabzevar

Comparative Analysis of Local Governance Patterns and Their Role in Shaping Cultural Identity and National Security in Iran

About the Journal

Current Issue

Research

Validation of the Model of Strengths, Weaknesses, Challenges, and Opportunities of the Metaverse in the Context of Iran’s Economic and Social Development

A Paradigmatic Reflection on the Concept of Social Consensus

Examining the Life and Reasons for the Banishment of Abu al-Fath Busti from the Court of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni

The Impact of Traditionalist Thought on Contemporary Art from the Perspective of Frithjof Schuon’s Ideas (Case Study: Sohrab Sepehri’s Paintings and Poetry)

Knowledge and Epistemology in Modern Political Theology

Iranian National Identity and How to Strengthen it Through Social Policy-making

The Role of Social Networks in Political Awareness and Online Political Participation (Case Study: Students of Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch)

Ayat Hashemi Rafsanjani's view on the legitimacy of the political system

Transformation in the Historical Thought of Qajar Historians (With Emphasis on the Historiography of Nazem al-Islam Kermani and Mehdi Malekzadeh)

Al-Mulk Minister and military commands in the reign of Sanjar

The Impact of Social Media and Cyberspace on Citizens’ Electoral Behavior with an Emphasis on Political Participation in the 13th Presidential Election (in the Electoral Districts of Qasr-e Shirin, Sarpol-e Zahab, and Gilan-e Gharb)

The Mughals and the Policy of Tolerance in India

Libraries of Rey during the Safavid Era

The Effects of China–U.S. Competition in the Persian Gulf on the National Security of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Investigating the Relationships and Effects of the Social Change Approach on the Economic Recession of Handicrafts (Case Study: Handicrafts of Shiraz)

The Impact of Elite Political Culture on the Decision-Making Process of the Nuclear Case During the Reformist (Khatami) and Justice-Oriented (Ahmadinejad) Presidencies

Strategies for Realizing the Civilizational Components of the Second Step of the Islamic Revolution Statement with Emphasis on Science, Spirituality, and Economy

Examining the Security Policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran in West Asia Based on the Discourse Analysis Method

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