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NAME: Firoozeh Radjai Bokha~ai DEGREE: Master of Arts fCommttnica!ic.n) TfT LE OF THESIS: Nationness and Revolution: A Gramscian Perspective on the I ranain Revotution -- -- AMtMlNG COMMITTEE: CHAR Dr. Paul Heyer, Professor Dr. Richard S. ~runez Professor Senior Supvisor Dr. ~arti&aba Associate Professk Supervisor - - Dr. Steven Daid Professor Humanitieslliberal Studies and Community and Economic Development, SFU DAfE APPROVED: August 10,1993 PARTIAL COPYRIGRT LICENCE I hereby grant to Simon Fraser University the right to lend my thesis OK dissertation (the title of which is shown below) to users or- the Sirnofi Fraser University Library, and to make partPal or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational instit~tion, on its own behalf or for one of its users. I further agree that permission for multiple copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by me or the Dean of Graduate Studies. -iLL Is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission, Title of ThesisJDissertation: Nationness and Revolution: A Gramscian Perspective on the Iranian Revolution Author: . - signature FFroozeh Radjai Bokharai name date ABSTRACT The thesis is an exploration of the articulation and communication of identity in connection to the natim and the ideological. cultural and political spheres. Communication here is understood as the consrmction and circulation of social/cultural meaning. The Iranian revofution of 1979, is used as a case study EO investigate how nationness is constructed as a strategic political ideology and what meanings are associated to an I ranianness thus articulated. The majori~of works on the Iranian revolution identifj. Islam as the only ideological force involved in the mobilization and unification of the diverse groups who participated in the revolution. This thesis acknowledges the immense role played by Islam but argues against reducing the ideological field of determinations to a single level. An examination of the specific culture, history and politics of Iran in conjuncture with oppositional discourse .,generated in the two years leading to the 1979 revolution reveal that nationp.=ss is another recurring powerful ideological configuration which commands a profound emotional and political legitimacy. The thesis draws from and builds upon a critical review of thc literature. The work of Edward Said, Antonio Gramsci and Stum Hall set the basic theoretical framework for the study. Following an interdisciplinary approach, this exploration stands at an intersection between Cultural Studies branch of Communication theory and Middle-Eastern Studies. Various concepts are used 10 explore the construction of the nation, particularly the way in =hi& its official version articuIatd by the pre-revolutionary alliance of indigenous dlasmhip and fnrez'enL. isqxria!ism clashed with the popular interpretations of national identity. This crisis in communication of identity was a major source of discontent for the vast rnajorify of the population and the revolutionaq leaders did not fail to scilizc its immense strategic vaiue fur mass rnobilizarion. They constructed a different version ot franianness which resonated within the structures of popular cufture and consciousness anif served as a central ideofogical axis around which the diterss social and political factions articulated. I wish to thank my committee fur granting me the freedom to experiment \.ith ideas and trusting that my curious journeys would one day arrive at the thesis destination. Rick Gruieau, my Senior Supervisor, has been wonderfully patient wirh me. I want to thank him for his compassion, his timely and thoughtful encouragement over the years and for knowing just when and how to push for not). Many past and present friends, teachers, and coifeagaes have provided me with valuable personal and intellectual support. Among them, I am very grateful to Paul Heyer, Lynne Hissey, Sut Jhally. Yasmin Jiwani, Kirsten McAllister, Roman Onufrijchuk, Richard Pinei, Mytes Ruggles, Nasfaraii, Mohsen and Fariba ShojaNia, and Suzanne Strutt who have, at one point or another, contributed to this thesis by way of inspiration, constructive criticism, editorial suggestions or simply listening. Many pages would belong to my dear friend, Elaine M. Davies. if all that she has done for me could be acknowledged properly. Here I only have room to express my most heartfelt thanks for her kindness, loyalty and good humour which are only exceeded by her generosity. I wish also to thank Zoo1 Suleman and Sherazad Jamal for their friendship, funding and food! Dugg Simpson's wild mix of Scottish pragmatism and Irish romanticism made for the gentlest "thesis police" anyone could desire. I want to thank him for that and the many life-lessons he taught me. I am Yery fortunate to have a most loving and supportive family. In particular I thank th~sewho have been direct& involved in the research and ongoing discussions about many of the issues raised here. This thesis pi^^ its inspiration to my sister and best friend, Afarin Radjai B., whose passion fur Iran and Iranianness, strong and soulful art, and sensitive irrtelligence moved me to explore natiomess in the first place. Her help in gathering research material. her un\t-ayering fatth in me and her spirited love have secn rrlc through to the end. hQ bro&ers Saeed anG Xasoud Radjai E.. have been instrumental in shxing their political cor;taas with me as welt as impaaixg :heir own considerab!:: knmv!sdgt of, a;;J i..;i;e;ier;ct. in Iranian history and opgosidonaf politics. Special thanks are also duc to Fariixt Radjni R., and Arash Riahi for fhe Iom of their pri~atecoI!ection of othenvisc unavailable Iranian material. Their endless sncouragsment and enthusiasm for my work is also rtliist appreciated. Last but certainly not least, I am forever indebted to my mother, Fakhri Fayyaz. 1 have learned much from her informed recoIlections of people and events in Iranian culruritl and political history: bur I am most grateful to her for all the battles she fought to raise us in a feminist tradition. Wirhout her lessons in courage, commitment and indcpcndcncc I would not have survived the rough road which has brought me to this point. This thesis is dedicated to her and to the memory of my father. TABLE OF CONTENTS ... Abstract ....................... 111 Introduction ....................... 1 sI . Orientalizing the Revoiutbn ....................... 4 The Expert Dis- LOU^ ._..................... 9 The Media Discourse ....................... 23 2 . Beyond OrientaIism ....................... 37 The Socioeconcrrnic Focus ....................... 39 The Islamic Focus ....................... 51 3 . Mapping Out a Different Theoretical Terrain ..............