The Constitution of Iran

Chronicling and analyzing political life in Iran since the revolution, this text sets out to demonstrate the gradual transformation of the state from intended theocracy and republic to a hierocracy in which Islam and the shari`a play a subordinate role. The author addresses the major contradictions inherent in the Iranian constitution - between its legalistic and democratic components on the one hand, and between the alleged potential of a legally and ideologically interpreted Islam to resolve social problems and the growing evidence that this Islam is an inadequate legal and political basis for government. He charts the gradual replacement of Islamic legalism with a political practice based centrally on the interests of the state, and points to a growing crisis of the shari`a that will open the way for possible developments of Islam in the future.

ISBN 1860642535   DEWEY edition DC21 ISBN13 9781860642531 (What's this?)   Pages 336 Publisher I.B.Tauris & Co Ltd   Volumes 1 Imprint I.B.Tauris   Weight (grammes) 590 Format Paperback   Published in London Publication date 31 Dec 1998   Height (mm) 234 Translator John O'Kane   Width (mm) 156 Library of Congress KMH2101.S3   Spine width (mm) 25 DEWEY 320.955   Academic level Professional / Scholarly

Part 1 Contradiction in the constitution of the Islamic Republic: the composition of the constitution; the genesis of the constitution; the clash over velayat-e faqih. Part 2 The suppression of the democratic elements: the power of the leader; the impotence of the people; the suppression of fundamental rights; the power of the clergy. Part 3 The fate of the constitution's Islamic legalist elements: the unavoidable acceptance of laws alien to the shari'a; circumventing the shari'a through the rule of emergency; circumventing the shari'a through secondary contractual conditions; state ordinances; the interests of the ruling system as a standard for legislation; a problematic criterion of legitimacy. Part 4 The crisis of the shari'a: an awareness of crisis; the search for solutions; criticism from outside. Conclusions: the constitution in historical perspective; the real distribution of power; the importance of the people; the separation of the state and religion.

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