This detailed examination of contemporary Iran addresses the most important current social, political, and economic issues facing the nation and the way it is perceived by the outside world. The volume brings together some of the most important scholars and researchers in the field, working in such diverse disciplines as anthropology, economics, history, international relations, philosophy, political science, and sociology, to offer a broad range of perspectives on the significance of three decades of changes for Iran's current and near-term-future domestic and international politics.

Drawing upon a wealth of original field research, the authors challenge conventional wisdom and simplistic media stereotypes about the Islamic Republic. The chapters reach beyond traditional images of the country to show that, as a consequence of thirty years of economic and social changes, the reality, or 'essence', of contemporary Iran is more complex and nuanced than is often portrayed in the international media. Offering valuable insights into Iran's economic and social policies, as well as its politics, since the Islamic Revolution, this book will be of great interest to students and scholars of political science, sociology, and Iranian studies.

About the Author
Eric Hooglund is Senior Research Scholar in Contemporary Interpretations of Islam at the Center for Middle East Studies, Lund University, Sweden, and Editor of Middle East Critique. Leif Stenberg is the Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Lund University.

Reviews

The strength of this volume is its inclusion of perspectives from inside Iran, whether based on interviews, personal reflections, or studied observation. The essays avoid complicated theorization, a fact that will make these readings accessible to a wide variety of undergraduate readers. These essays may also be helpful for scholars outside of Iranian studies who seek to add comparative data to undergraduate courses.

Kathleen Foody PhD

College of Charleston

Book Information
ISBN 9781138110854
Author Eric Hooglund
Format Paperback
Page Count 244
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g