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(1997-2005) Melody Mohebi 1 The London School of Economics and Political Science Intellectuals, Reform and the Making of a Modern Iranian Civil Society (1997-2005) Melody Mohebi A thesis submitted to the Department of Social Policy of the London School of Economics for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, London November 2012 2 Declaration of Authorship I certify that the thesis I have presented for examination for the MPhil/PhD degree of the London School of Economics and Political Science is solely my own work other than where I have clearly indicated that it is the work of others (in which case the extent of any work carried out jointly by me and any other person is clearly identified in it). The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgement is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without my prior written consent. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. I declare that my thesis consists of 91,355 words. 3 Acknowledgements I would like to thank my supervisors, whose advice and encouragement played an integral role in the writing and completion of this thesis. Professor Howell helped me develop as a researcher, kept me positive and urged me across the finish line. Professor David Lewis always provided invaluable comments and guidance. The intellectual environment and support from the LSE, particularly the Department of Social Policy, proved instrumental throughout my years here. I would like to thank Professor Tim Newburn for giving me an opportunity to teach, keeping an open door and providing guidance. My gratitude goes out to all of the individuals who provided vital advice during the conceptualisation, fieldwork and writing up of this thesis, including the inspiring men and women who agreed to be interviewed. Professor Edalat is an amazing teacher and mentor. Simin and Ali, my guardian angels, provided me with a home and family when I arrived in London. Thank you to Dr Ghashghai, an inspiration and role model for generosity. Dr Naidoo provided me with such good care over the years. My wonderful friends have given me the best support network for which anyone can ask. Ellie, my guide to all that is British, has continuously cheered me on. Nisrine, thank you for always being there to listen and for encouraging me to be myself. My other amazing friends: Alice, Dwan, Emily, Gabriela, Georgina, Nahid – who took such good care of me, Linda, Paul, Rana and Shaffa – who has an uncanny ability to bring a smile to my face. Khatidja, with whom I began my intellectual journey at Berkeley, thank you for your unwavering friendship. Others, while their names may not be mentioned here, have left their mark with amazing friendships. Last, but not least, my mother, father and sister, who have been there for me through it all. I may wander from place to place not quite knowing where I am heading at times, but this is done with the comfort of always knowing I have a home with you. Thank you for not giving up on me. Maman, you are a real angel, anything good that I have comes from you. Baba, we might not always see eye to eye, but I still ask ‘what would baba do’ when making most decisions. You are our rock. Tala, the best gift I ever asked for and received was a sister. You are my role model, and I am blessed to have you in my life as a sister and friend. 4 Abstract The aim of my thesis is to investigate the reason for why and how the language and concept of civil society was used to enhance positions of power by reformists in Iran. In particular, this thesis examines how reformist public intellectuals used civil society to craft their vision of Iran’s socio- political future. Special focus is placed upon reformist public intellectuals as agents of change, due to their particular role in introducing new ideas to a wider public audience. Their role as critical thinkers and figures affiliated with a political movement for reform provided them with a unique position on the boundaries between civil and political society. In contrast to reformists, this thesis also examines how conservative figures with different underlying values appropriated the language and concept of civil society for their own ends. Ultimately, it is argued that although civil society is a politically charged concept that can be employed to serve different objectives, it leaves behind a residue of pluralism and an opening up of the public sphere. 5 Contents Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................ 7 1.1 The Civil Society-Democracy Connection .................................................. 11 1.2 The Role of Agency .................................................................................... 15 1.3 What Iran Offers as a Case-study ................................................................ 16 1.4 Research Design: The research questions ................................................... 21 1.5 Research Methods ....................................................................................... 23 1.6 Case Study Complexities and Impediments ................................................ 36 1.7 Thesis Structure ........................................................................................... 40 Chapter 2: Theories of Civil Society .......................................................................... 41 2.1 The Role of History on Contemporary Understanding ............................... 44 2.2 Contemporary Discourse ............................................................................. 51 2.3 Social Movements as Civil Society ............................................................. 67 2.4 The Public Intellectual (rowshanfekr) ......................................................... 69 2.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 75 Chapter 3: Exploring the Iran Case through Literature .............................................. 78 3.1 Types of Literature ...................................................................................... 83 3.2 Definitions of Civil Society in the Iranian Context ..................................... 85 3.3 Historical Background: 20 th century Iran .................................................... 89 3.4 Intellectuals on the Eve of the Revolution .................................................. 99 3.5 The New Political System ......................................................................... 103 3.6 Following the Establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran ................... 107 3.7 Emergence of Civil Society Language and the Reform Movement .......... 109 3.8 Critiquing Literature on Iranian Civil Society .......................................... 112 3.9 Conclusion ................................................................................................. 124 Chapter 4: Public Intellectuals of the Reform Movement ....................................... 126 4.1 Pre-Reform: Revolution and war............................................................... 130 4.2 Intellectuals Post-war and the Emergence of the Reform Movement ....... 131 4.3 The Emergence of Intellectual ‘Circles’.................................................... 132 4.4 Why Civil Society? ................................................................................... 144 4.5 Reformist Entry to Power: Khatami’s election ......................................... 152 4.6 Defining and ‘Generating’ Civil Society ................................................... 157 4.7 Civil society and its Affiliation with Islam According to Reformist Intellectuals ...................................................................................................... 163 4.8 Conclusion: The blurring of boundaries and meanings ............................. 165 Chapter 5: The ‘Practitioners’ of Modern Iranian Civil Society.............................. 167 5.1 Historical Existence of Civil Society Organisations in Iran ...................... 172 5.2 Civil Society and the Legal Structure ........................................................ 173 5.3 Civil Society: The introduction of a new concept ..................................... 179 6 5.4 Opening Up of Space for Civil Society and its Actors .............................. 185 5.5 The Women’s Movement .......................................................................... 187 5.6 Blurring the Boundaries between Civil Society, Political Society and the State .................................................................................................................. 191 5.7 Changing Trends ....................................................................................... 198 5.8 Conclusion ................................................................................................. 202 Chapter 6: Adopting and Adapting a Liberal Concept – Conservatives and Civil Society ...................................................................................................................... 205 6.1 Deconstructing the Conservative Camp .................................................... 206 6.2 Conservative Theory on Civil Society ...................................................... 209 6.3 Conservative Civil Society Organisations: Blurring the boundaries ......... 211 6.4 ‘Reformist’ Conservatives? Interviews with two intellectuals .................. 220 6.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................
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