Quick Overview
The Islamic Republic of Iran emerged in 1979, replacing the 54-year-old Pahlavi monarchy in what remains the only explicitly anti-Enlightenment revolution in modern history. Over the past forty-five years, the Islamic Republic has defied expectations by transforming a nation long governed by autocrats into a totalitarian theocracy. In this all-encompassing political order, religious authority supersedes all, and the Supreme Leader serves as the earthly representative—or viceroy—of the Hidden Imam, the messianic figure in Shi`a Islam. Clerics occupy positions of power throughout the state, serving as ministers, legislators, and presidents.
This work—intended for students, scholars, and informed general readers—seeks to answer enduring but still vital questions: How did revolutionaries dismantle a seemingly stable monarchy in just one year? How did the religious extremists, after the Shah's fall, outmaneuver their former revolutionary allies—social democrats, Marxists, and religious conservatives—to seize uncontested control? And how has such a seemingly anachronistic system—a modern theocracy—persisted into the 21st century?
While these questions are not new, the perspectives offered by the book’s two authors are. Both experienced these historic events not just as observers, but as participants—sometimes unwilling ones. They met firsthand with key figures, including Ayatollahs Khomeini, Montazeri, and Khamene’i. With academic backgrounds in history and political science, government service, and deep personal involvement in Iranian affairs before and after 1979, they bring unique insight. Both have taught in universities in Iran and the United States. Their diplomatic careers were upended by the revolution: one was forced to flee Iran to escape arrest; the other was imprisoned for fourteen months.