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A Case Study of Feminism in Iran

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A Case Study of Feminism in Iran Wright State University CORE Scholar Browse all Theses and Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 2009 Gender Politics: A Case Study of Feminism in Iran Sara A. Hoff Wright State University Follow this and additional works at: https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/etd_all Part of the International Relations Commons Repository Citation Hoff, Sara A., "Gender Politics: A Case Study of Feminism in Iran" (2009). Browse all Theses and Dissertations. 940. https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/etd_all/940 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at CORE Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Browse all Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of CORE Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. GENDER POLITICS: A CASE STUDY OF FEMINISM IN IRAN A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (International and Comparative Politics) By Sara A. Hoff Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Bellevue University, 2007 2009 Wright State University WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES June 5, 2009 I HEREBY RECOMMEND THAT THE THESIS PREPARED UNDER MY SUPERVISION BY SARA ABIGAIL HOFF ENTITLED GENDER POLITICS: A CASE STUDY OF FEMINISM IN IRAN BE ACCEPTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (INTERNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS). ______________________________ December Green, Ph.D. Thesis Director ______________________________ Laura M. Luehrmann, Ph.D. Director, Master of International- Comparative Politics Program Committee on Final Examination: ___________________________________ December Green, Ph.D. Department of Political Science ___________________________________ Laura M. Luehrmann, Ph.D. Department of Political Science ___________________________________ Kelli Zaytoun, Ph.D. Department of English ______________________________ Joseph F. Thomas Jr., Ph.D. Dean, School of Graduate Studies ABSTRACT Hoff, Sara Abigail. M. A., International and Comparative Politics M. A. Program, Wright State University, 2009. Gender Politics: A Case Study of Feminism in Iran. The literature on feminism and Islam shows that there is a distinct relationship and conflict between identity groups in Iran. An alliance between Muslim and secular feminists has been observed in the past in Iran; however, a breakdown of the alliance has occurred in recent years. It is my assumption that in order for feminists in Iran to unite, several principles of Iris Young‟s communicative democracy and coalition building practices have to be applied. Communicative democracy stresses that individuals‟ ideas often change when interaction with other people and their experiences occurs. Further, communicative democracy emphasizes the importance of recognizing the differences in culture and social perspectives as a resource for achieving an understanding in certain democratic discussions and processes. This study analyzes the ways women‟s identities are constructed in Iran and how interactions between the different feminist groups change or shape politics in that country. In other words, why have Muslim and secular feminist groups in Iran experienced a problematic relationship despite similarities in their agendas and how can feminists overcome such problems? This case study of feminism focuses on four different periods in Iran‟s history. The first two case studies will analyze the mechanisms of the Constitutional Revolution (1905-1911) and the Islamic Revolution (1979). In the period from 1990-2001 there was an alliance between secular and Muslim feminists in Iran, and together they accomplished several changes to better women‟s lives. However, a break in the alliance occurred following an event in 2000 when several secular feminists were arrested in Iran. Further, the study will make recommendations iii for building successful relationships among feminists by using Young‟s framework of communicative democracy. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................................ 1 The Research Question ............................................................................................................... 4 II. Literature Review ....................................................................................................................... 9 Representations of Muslim Women ............................................................................................ 9 Islam and Feminism .................................................................................................................. 11 Re-interpretation of Holy Texts ................................................................................................ 13 Gender Politics and Democracy in Iran .................................................................................... 16 The Relationship between Muslim and Secular Feminists ....................................................... 18 Views and Interpretations of Democracy ................................................................................. 21 Communicative Democracy...................................................................................................... 25 Viewing Women as a Social Collective .................................................................................... 28 III. Research Design...................................................................................................................... 32 Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 32 Definition of Concepts and Terms ............................................................................................ 32 Definitions of Variables ............................................................................................................ 34 Political Affiliation ............................................................................................................... 35 Communication/Use of Media .............................................................................................. 36 Collective Identity ................................................................................................................. 37 v Collective Goals .................................................................................................................... 39 Definition of Success ................................................................................................................ 39 Application of Young‟s Theory ................................................................................................ 41 IV. Analysis .................................................................................................................................. 43 Analysis of Variables ................................................................................................................ 43 Analysis of Young‟s Variables ................................................................................................. 82 Application of Variables ........................................................................................................... 87 V. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 91 Recommendation for Further Research .................................................................................... 96 References ..................................................................................................................................... 99 vi LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Women's Status in Iran ..................................................................................................... 2 Table 2. Comparison of Variables for Measuring Success ........................................................... 88 Table 3. Analysis of Young's Principles ....................................................................................... 89 vii LIST OF ACRONYMS CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women GDP Gross Domestic Product GEM Gender Empowerment Measure IRP Islamic Republican Party LMI Liberation Movement of Iran NGO Non-governmental organization viii LIST OF NON-ENGLISH TERMS Ayatollah High ranking title given to clerics Chador Outer garment or open cloak worn by women in public spaces Fegh/Fiqh Islamic jurisprudence Feghe Poya Dynamic Islamic jurisprudence, new school of thought Hadith Oral traditions relating to the words and deeds of the Prophet Mohamed Hijab Modest dress for women Mahr Bride price Majles/Majlis The Iranian Parliament Mujahadid/Mujahadin fighter in the holy war Mullah A Muslim who studied sacred law and theology Ramadan Islamic month of fasting Shah Persian term for a monarch (leader) Shari’a Body of Islamic religious law Shia Denomination of Islam Ulama Educated Muslim legal scholar; arbiters of Shari‟a law, religious leader Qur’an Central Islamic text Zanan (Women); Independent Women‟s Magazine ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The journey of writing my thesis was long and, at time, stressful, but overall deeply humbling and enjoyable. First, I would like to thank my committee, especially my chair, Dr. December
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