Acknowledgments; Preface: "Where Is My Vote?"; Introduction: Democracy and Culture; 1 The Origins of Secularism in Europe; 2 Modern Visions of Secularism; 3 A Critical Understanding of Modernity; 4 Intellectuals and Democracy; 5 Religious Intellectuals; 6 Alireza Alavi-Tabar and Political Change; 7 The Predicaments of Iranian Public Intellectuals; 8 An Intellectual Crisis in Iran; Conclusion: Modernity and Its Traditions; Notes; Index; A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; Y; Z; About the Author
Summary
Can Islamic societies embrace democracy? In Democracy in Modern Iran, Ali Mirsepassi maintains that it is possible, demonstrating that Islam is not inherently hostile to the idea of democracy. Rather, he provides new perspective on how such a political and social transformation could take place, arguing that the key to understanding the integration of Islam and democracy lies in concrete social institutions rather than pre-conceived ideas, the every day experiences rather than abstract theories. Mirsepassi, an Iranian native, provides a rare inside look into the country, offering a deep under
