Current developments in Iran are forcing a fundamentalreassessment of the relationship between Islam and democracyand the processes of democratization in the Muslim world.While some scholars have argued that 'Islam' and 'democracy'are essentially incompatible, others have sought to portraythe advent of political Islam as a transitional phenomenonto be overcome before democratization can take root. Ansari,in tracing the historical roots of political development inIran, argues that what is in fact taking place is an intellectualsynthesis of ideas drawing from both Western and traditionalIranian norms. The author analyzes the origins and dynamicof this development, and discusses the possible consequencesfor Iran and the region, as well as Iran's relationship with thewider world. This new edition includes political developmentsin Iran since 2016. It looks at the increasing polarity of viewsand the changing nature of 'reformism' in light of successivesetbacks and growing international tensions.

About the Author
Ali M. Ansari is Professor of Iranian History and Founding Director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews.

Reviews
"The most comprehensive account of the politics of reform in contemporary Iran . . . . there has never been a better time for a review and detailed analysis of the rise and fall of the reform movement in Iran."--Asian Review of Books



Book Information
ISBN 9781909942981
Author Ali M. Ansari
Format Hardback
Page Count 240
Imprint Gingko Library
Publisher GINGKO