https://www.irpljournal.ir/ Iranian Politics and Law Quarterly en daily 1 Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0330 Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0330 https://www.irpljournal.ir/article_207052.html This study explores how Ferdowsi’s epic Shahnameh has served as the enduring embodiment of Iranian national identity, tracing the origins of this identity to ancient Persian myths and historical accounts. Based on a particular rendition of the Xhwadāy-Nāmag text, the Shahnameh played an instrumental role in safeguarding Iranian culture and stoking national pride during epochs marked by political turmoil and cultural subjugation. Ferdowsi’s masterpiece preserves Iranian identity through depicting political unity under Iranian rulers across time; geographical unity centered on the conception of Iranshahr as the dominion, despite changing borders; and historical unity through a consistent, conflict-free narrative distinct from other sources. The research underscores the resilience of this Iranian cultural identity that not only persisted but thrived within literary, artistic and folk traditions, awaiting the eventual restoration of political sovereignty under the Safavid dynasty. https://www.irpljournal.ir/article_207053.html Much has been said and written in describing and introducing Nowruz rituals. Numerous rich and valuable sources from past eras are available on Nowruz and its associated rituals, covering the myths of the Nowruz festival, theology, cosmology, astronomy, and the customs and traditions linked to Nowruz rituals, as well as their relation to Iranshahr and the Iranian kingship during the Sassanian era. In the modern period, archaeological findings and the research of archaeologists, along with comparative studies by historians, mythologists, specialists in ancient languages and writing systems, and both Western and Iranian Iranologists, have provided us with credible and useful scientific information about Nowruz rituals. This article, however, does not aim to discuss the Nowruz rituals and customs per se. Rather, its approach and perspective from beginning to end are theoretical and philosophical, focusing on the relationship between Nowruz rituals and the national and religious identity of Iranians. It is believed that this type of theoretical and philosophical perspective on Nowruz rituals is somewhat lacking compared to the historical, comparative, and field studies conducted thus far. https://www.irpljournal.ir/article_207054.html The pivotal term "Khshatra/xšaθra" in Zoroaster's Gathas denotes power relations, dominion, and kinship. The Iranian sovereign embodies force and the amalgamation of the Amesha Spentas’ attributes bestowed by Ahura Mazda. The inception of Iran’s prosperity in the Gathas manifests through the emergence of the monarchical phenomenon of Shahanshahi. To establish the institution of sovereignty, power must first concentrate on earth, and to consolidate this institution, myths come into play. As myths transition into religion in the form of the true faith, power becomes concentrated. The terrestrialization of the sacred through the institution of monarchy characterizes the politics of ancient Iran. Shahanshahi is an institution that emerges upon the establishment of civilization. Zoroaster's mission summoned to civilization, development, and sedentarization, heralding economic-social transformation from pastoral to agrarian life. This research employs phenomenology to pose: How does politics manifest in Zoroaster's Gathas? Our hypothesis: The political phenomenon has a mythological foundation, continues the Amesha Spentas, and through myth's transition to the true faith, embodies in the monarchy shaping Iran's prosperity.  https://www.irpljournal.ir/article_207058.html This article challenges the notion of a unified Kurdish identity and argues that Kurds are historically, culturally, and politically integral to the broader Iranian nation. Through a detailed examination of linguistic, historical, and anthropological evidence, the study reveals the profound diversity among Kurdish-speaking populations, where distinct languages and dialects often share closer affinities with Persian than with each other. The research underscores that what is commonly perceived as a singular “Kurdish language” is in reality a spectrum of linguistic variations, further complicating efforts to frame Kurds as a homogeneous ethnic group. Additionally, the article highlights the historical integration of Kurdish peoples into Iranian political and cultural life, focusing on shared mythologies, literary traditions, and customs that link Kurds closely to the Iranian cultural sphere. By critiquing oversimplified ethno-nationalist narratives, the study advocates for a more nuanced understanding of Kurdish identity as diverse and deeply intertwined with the Iranian nation. This perspective not only aligns with historical realities but also offers a more inclusive framework for addressing contemporary political and social issues in the region. https://www.irpljournal.ir/article_207059.html For years, a debate has persisted among certain Iranian circles, particularly among residents of Iran’s Azeri provinces, regarding the racial classification of the people of Azerbaijan. Are they ethnically Turkish or Azeri? The significance of this issue appears to have intensified with the emergence of pan-Turkism and pan-Turanism ideologies in Iran. This question is also evident in the works of some contemporary historians and political scientists. This research, conducted through analytical and comparative methods utilizing primary sources, reveals that referring to Azeri provinces’ inhabitants as ethnically Turkish largely stems from the prevalence of the Turkish language in the region. Conversely, some authors, predominantly foreign and affiliated with pan-Turkist political movements, attempt to ascribe a Turkish identity and ethnicity to Iranian Azeri speakers through historical revisionism. However, research from reputable global academic centers, even in some neighboring Turkic-speaking countries, acknowledges fundamental racial differences between Iranian Azeris and Turkic peoples, demonstrating essential similarities between Azeris and other inhabitants of the Iranian plateau. https://www.irpljournal.ir/article_207060.html The Persian language is pivotal in connecting the Iranian nation's past, present, and future, highlighting its historical and political importance. However, it faces significant challenges that threaten national identity and the continuity of Iranian traditions. Preserving and promoting Persian has been emphasized in key documents of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the Constitution, Vision 2025, and various development plans. Despite introducing policies to address these issues, implementation has been flawed, yielding unsatisfactory results. This article aims to identify factors behind the failure of these language policies, focusing on the Fifth Development Plan. It explores how the plan's approach and implementation led to suboptimal outcomes. Using thematic analysis and archival data, the study finds that the challenges facing Persian must be conceived as a wicked problem. Additionally, a directive approach to policy implementation has obstructed the success of national language policies. https://www.irpljournal.ir/article_207061.html The Constitution is the primary source for determining the principles governing the Islamic Republic of Iran's foreign policy. This research seeks to evaluate how the imperatives of Iran's foreign policy, based on the Constitution and international norms, align with each other. Through a descriptive-analytical study, the research identifies and elucidates the dimensions, characteristics, and imperatives governing these principles and assesses their alignment with international standards. It demonstrates that although principles such as "non-interference in the internal affairs of countries," "responsibility to protect the oppressed and Muslims under oppression," and "realization of Islamic world unity" may seem to contradict international norms, a detailed analysis based on the theoretical foundations of Iran's political system shows they are not contradictory to each other or to international legal norms. These principles have specific and defensible characteristics and imperatives derived from the revolutionary and religious approach of Iran's political system. https://www.irpljournal.ir/article_207062.html The transition from tradition to modernity represents a significant challenge in the humanities, particularly in the realm of political science where the shift towards the modern state is a focal point of inquiry. This process of transition engenders an interim period characterized by uncertainty, resulting in a critical and unstable state identity in Iran. The liminal state and the concomitant absence of a defined identity are central themes in the scholarly work of Javad Tabatabai. He posits that the modern era of Iranian history commenced at a juncture where traditional paradigm proved inadequate in addressing the exigencies of the new world order. He conceptualizes contemporary Iran as existing in a state of liminality, neither fully traditional nor modern, encapsulating the current Iranian crisis. This contemporary thinker elucidates the continuity of Iran amidst its decline through a complex system of concepts, with the notion of “Iranshahr” at its core. Notably, Tabatabai’s proposed solution neither advocates a return to tradition nor suggests a mere replication of European modernity. While his ultimate objective is to contribute to the establishment of a modern tradition of thought, with an emphasis on political philosophy, he recognizes that the transition from the old state to the...