The Iranian revolution of 1979 and the Islamic Republic Model

Location: School of International Studies, via T. Gar 14 Trento, Room 001
Time: from 14:15 to 16:00

Guest Speaker

• Pejman Abdolmohammadi, School of International Studies

Abstract

This lecture examines the 1979 Iranian Revolution, focusing on the socio-economic and political elements of 1970s which led to regime change in Iran. The review of phenomenon, such as urbanisation, industrialisation, the rise of political Islam and mass politics will constitute the first part of this seminar. The second part will focus on the Islamic Republic model as the main offspring of the 1979 Revolution and the Ayatollah Khomeini’s political thought. It will analyse the main institutional and political features of the Islamic Republic, focusing on the relationship between religion and politics and the republican institutions and the Islamic ones. The lecture will come to an end with an examination of the form of state in Iran, highlighting the model of the Islamic Republic being a peculiar hybrid regime rather than a pure authoritarian or a democratic system.