CONSTRUCTION OF NATIONAL IDENTITY AND SECURITY POLICIES OF IRAN IN THE 20TH CENTURY (original) (raw)

The importance of identity in Iran's foreign policy

This essay will answer the following questions: how does a particular definition of identity shape Iranian foreign policy? Do values and ideological perspectives have a prominent role in shaping Iran’s international relations? To answer these questions I apply a hybrid approach, combining elements from various current theoretical debates, which might be appropriate to understand Iranian approach to foreign policy until today. I will assume an historical perspective to frame the importance that the role of identity have in shaping the political agenda of the country. I will apply a constructivist theoretical dimension to explain how Iran has used in many cases the “logic of appropriateness” to justify his actions in the international arena, as an attempt to “do the right thing”, respecting its ideology and values. I will explore the impact of identity in Iranian society and analyze the different identity narratives, which have been defined and applied differently throughout time. I will research on how Iranian’s foreign policy has also evolved into a series of pragmatic decisions, and when and how Iranian interests have been determined either by a particular assumption of the state’s identity, or by material necessity.

Challenges of National Identity in Iran

Pensee

The current variety of ethnic and cultural differences in Iran is the legacy of the ancient Iranian emperors. The relationship between ethnic identities and national identity may appear in three forms of contrast, simultaneous, and resonator. National identity in the frame-work of nation-state is a modern concept attempts to create national solidarity which may be in conflict with ethnic identity and solidarity. Ethnic and national identities also may coexist peacefully and create a dyadic identity for the people. And finally, ethnic identity may accelerate national solidarity by strengthening national identity. Obviously, all nation-states, by managing ethnic diversity, attempt to avoid tensions among ethnic identities and create parallel relationships or even strengthen relationships among them. This article seeks to explain the existing relationships among ethnic identities and national identity in Iran and the potential threats that may lead to contrast and conflict between ethnic identities and national identity. Accordingly, this article is to explain how it may be possible to develop an equitable strategy to avoid contrast between ethnic and national identities. The first part of the article summarizes concepts and theories that can explain the relationship between ethnic and national identities, while the second part of the article identifies the main threatening factors to positive – parallel or escalating - relationship of ethnic and national identities in Iran. The third part of the article describes the characteristics of an equitable strategy in Iran for managing ethnic diversity that leads to national solidarity.

Between Darius and Khomeini: exploring Iran's national identity problematique

Iran, since the advent of its nation-state building process, has struggled to define its national identity in a relevant and resonant way. This article, while acknowledging the multi-dimensional nature of Iran's national identity, focuses on its two most profound components: Nationalism and Islamism. It explores how the tensions between these two are at the heart of not only the problem of Iranian identity but also of Persian identity. Examining how these two bases of identity also rely on similarity as well as difference the article argues, through the use of the tool of a problematique, that a coherent Iranian national identity, inclusive of all including ethnic minorities, is not possible until the tensions between Nationalism and Islamism at the heart of Persian identity are resolved.

Iran's Identity Policy Pursued in Its Construction as a Proxy Power: The Case of the Islamic Resistance Movement of Azerbaijan (Hüseynçilər/Husayniyyun)

Turkish Journal of Political Science, 2023

The Islamic Republic of Iran faced severe security problems shortly after the Islamic Revolution. The experiences gained from these threats have thoughtfully shaped Iran's defense strategy in the following years. Forward defense and deterrence concepts are essential toIran's defense strategy. The proxy power strategy, which has been actively carried out since the Revolution, can also be considered an extension of Iran's forward defense and deterrence concept. In this context, Iran is in contact with and manages many groups, large and small, over a wide geography, from Afghanistan to Nigeria and Yemen to Syria. Thus, it seeks to meet potential threats beyond its borders and increase its sanction power in these countries by building groups that will act in parallel with its own policies. He establishes affinity with these groups largely through an identity-based discourse. The Azerbaijan Islamic Resistance Organization (Hüseynçilər/Husayniyyun), which has started to work for the Republic of Azerbaijan since 2013 and whose activities have become visible since 2015, is one of the proxy forces that Iran supports within the scope of these policies. In this study, the background and organizational structure that form the basis of the discourse and activities of this organization, through which Iran is directed and managed within the scope of the proxy power strategy, will be discussed

Between Persian Myth and Iranian Reality: Iran's Ideological Identity and the Making of Contemporary Iran (B.A. Thesis)

This paper will analyse the relationship between Identity and the evolution of the manner through which Iranians view themselves, which is mostly rooted in the manner through which myths transcended into ideologies, looking at the evolution of Religion and Nationalism in Iran, in order to understand the historical changes that happened from the end of the Qajar Dynasty till the establishment of the Vilayet-a-Fariq. This will be done by first analysing what a Myth, an Ideology, and Identity are. Afterwards, this paper will analyse the pre-modern Qajar Iran and then it will look at how nationalism and political Islam shaped the character of Iranian Identity. This will be analysed under the assumption that all identities are inherently a product of society.

Iran Facing Other: Identitiy Buonderies in A Historical Perpective

Iran Facing Other: Identitiy Buonderies in A Historical Perpective , 2012

Iran's long history and complex cultural legacy have generated animated debates about a homogenous Iranian identity in the face of ethnic, linguistic and communal diversity. The volume examines the fluid boundaries of pre-modern identity in history and literature as well as the shaping of Iranian national identity in the 20th century. For chapters in this volume by Abbas Amanat: "Introduction" and "In the Persian Eye" see under Articles and Chapters.

Identity and Ideology in the Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Today, Iran is at the headlines of world media, is the centre of world's attention, is one of the big problematique of the chancelleries of the West and her nuclear programme is hotly debated all over the world and in the Middle East. Iran's bold defiance of the world's only superpower(albeit in slow decline1), its open challenge against Israel ( which the Arab states were unable to cope with since its inception in 1948), its advocating of “Muslim causes” all around the world, its full blown support to anti-Israel forces of non-state actors like HAMAS and Hezbollah and its ongoing uranium enrichment programme coupled with Iranian missile programme of 2500-3000 km range Shahabs cause awe and apprehension all over the world but particularly in the West. Iran is a big, complex country with historical and geopolitical “strategic depth”2 She is an heir to ancient and mighty Persian Empire.3 It has a rich culture, literature and remarkably well-read and educated population. Iran is a predominantly Shiite country which makes her somewhat a stranger in the Muslim world which is predominantly Sunni. At the same time Iran is craving for a place under the sun and wants to be recognized as an 'equal' with the United States and the West. It is the only country where the state is ruled by the Shiite theocracy and by the Shiite clergy (“the mullahs”) and all the key strategic decisions are made by the Supreme Leader.4 However, it is also grappling with economic problems( high unemployment, high inflation and lack of foreign direct investments) and Western economic embargoes sanctioned by the United Nations.Its nuclear programme might be considered an element of prestige and the endorsment of “rightful place under the sun” as well as a realist reading of Iran's trying to counterbalance the threats of nuclear Israel and the nuclear USA.Iran is under close scrutiny of International Atomic Energy Agency and Western intelligence agencies.

Banal Nationalism as a Defensive State Apparatus: Daily Re-Production of Nationality and Religion in Iran (İran'da Banal Milliyetçilik: Milli ve Dini Kimliğin Günlük Üretimi)

Öz: 1979 yılında yaşanan İran İslam Devrimi sonrasında İslamcı politikalar kurulan yeni rejimin hem iç hem de dış politikalarının temelini oluşturmuştur. Ancak milliyetçilik de göz ardı edilmemiş ve daha da ileri gidilerek Şii İslam ve İslam öncesi Pers kültürünün harmanlanması ile bir İranlılık kimliği yaratılmıştır. Bu kimlik devlet tarafından, Şii mitolojisi, İslam öncesi Pers kültürü, anti-emperyalizm, Üçüncü Dünyacılık ve anti-Siyonizm gibi ögelerle harmanlanmış ve çok etnikli İran toplumuna ortak bir aidiyet olarak sunulmuştur. Bu aidiyet olgusunun hem İran içinde hem de İran dışında cereyan eden olaylar üzerine inşa edildiği iddia edilebilir. Bunu yaparken, İran Devleti basılması kendi tekelinde olan banknotları, madeni paraları ve posta pullarını gündelik milliyeçiliğin aracı olarak kullanmış ve bu 'banal' yollar ile İranlılık duygusunun her gün yeniden üretilmesine katkı yapmıştır. Böylelikle, banknotlar, madeni paralar ve posta pulları gibi görsel semboller aracılığı ile devlet, kendi oluştur-duğu kimliği yine kendi içerisinde bulunan alt-ulusal kimliklerin bu resmi kimliğe saldırılarına karşı bir savunma aracı olarak banal milliyetçilik vasıtası ile kullanmış olmaktadır. Abstract: After its 1979 revolution, Islamism became Iran's main policy as regards its domestic and foreign affairs. However, nationalism continued to exist. After the revolution, the national identity of Iranianness based on Shii Islam and pre-Islamic Persian history was created. By merging Shii traditions, pre-Islamic Persian culture, anti-imperialism, Third Worldism, and anti-Zionism, this new identity was introduced as one of belonging. One can claim that it was also built on common values held by Iranians living inside and outside the country. One part of this undertaking was the use of banknotes, coins, and postage stamps, which can only be issued by the state, as instruments of daily nationalism designed to constantly reproduce the desired identity among its people, in this case Iranianness. In this respect, the state uses such visual symbols to defend the official identity against the existence of sub-national identities.

Ethnic Identity and the State in Iran

Palgrave Macmillan, 2013

Tehran's complicated relationship with its ethnic sub-groups has been a pressing security concern since the formation of modern Iran in 1925. This concern is intimately linked with issues related to citizenship, democracy, and democratic political processes, which remain fundamental to Iran's political structure and the Iranian political sphere. This book argues that, while the Islamic Republic has employed various strategies to mitigate the worst excesses of inter-ethnic tension while still securing a Shi'a-Persian dominated state, the systematic neglect of ethnic groups by both the Islamic Republic and its predecessor regime has resulted in the politicization of ethnic identity in Iran.