The Reign of the Ayatollahs: Iran and the Islamic Revolution - Softcover

Bakhash, Shaul

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0465068901 ISBN 13: 9780465068906

Publisher: Basic Books, 1990

Synopsis

This scholarly dissection of the Islamic Revolution in Iran is mostly concerned with its domestic issues. Iran's foreign affairs in this period are addressed only to the extent that they played important roles in domestic power contests. (although I think that reading this book will greatly enhance your understanding of such accounts). Instead, you will find exhaustive examination of internal struggles over land distribution, urban housing and the nationalization of industry and agriculture. Not that Bakhash's concern is solely economic--the book is primarily about political conflict: the debates on the constitution, the factional infighting within the party and the government, the endless polarization between "moderates" and "hardliners", the mystifyingly equivocal and minimalist leadership provided by Khomaini. In fact, if there is one flaw in this book (especially given its title), it is that Khomaini's behavior is left unanalyzed and enigmatic in the extreme. No attempt is made to explain his strange political moves: promoting and supporting moderates like Bani-Sadr, and then agreeing publicly with their enemies; stirring up the radical sentiments of the Majles (the legislature), while standing solidly behind the conservative Council of Guardians that sytematically vetoed radical economic legislation; encouraging those who sought diplomatic rapprochement with the West, and simultaneously torpedoing their efforts without warning.

Edition details

• Publisher: Basic Books
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0465068901
• ISBN 13: 9780465068906
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336