The Incarcerated Modern: Prisons and Public Life in Iran

Iran's prison system is a key institution of political modernity, shaping and reshaping Iranian understandings of citizenship, freedom, and political belonging. Golnar Nikpour's book explores the interplay between the concrete space of the prison and the role of prisons in producing new public cultures and political languages.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 06 February 2024
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Iran's prison system stands as a fundamental pillar of the country's political modernity, marking a profound shift in its societal structure and governance. The book, titled "The Incarcerated Modern," delves into the intricate transformation of Iran from a decentralized empire with relatively few imprisoned individuals at the turn of the twentieth century to a modern nation-state that currently houses over a quarter million prisoners. In its role of policing the boundaries between criminal behavior and civic virtue, the carceral system has played a pivotal role in shaping and reshaping Iranian perceptions of citizenship, freedom, and political identity.

Golnar Nikpour, in her exploration, delves into the intricate interplay between the physical confines of Iranian prisons and their role in generating new public cultures and political languages. Through a comprehensive analysis of a range of sources, including prison writings from the 1920s leftist prisoners and communiqués from the 1950s militant Islamists, as well as paintings from the 1970s revolutionary guerrillas and mapping projects organized by contemporary dissident prisoners, Nikpour highlights the profound impact of carceral confinement on modern Iranian political movements.

The book also establishes a crucial connection between Iranian history and transnational carceral histories, shedding light on the shared architectures, economies, and techniques of modern punishment. By examining the historical roots and legacies of Iran's prison system, "The Incarcerated Modern" offers a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics that have shaped contemporary Iranian society and politics.

In conclusion, "The Incarcerated Modern" is a groundbreaking work that provides a profound and nuanced exploration of the role of prisons in shaping modern Iranian society and politics. Through its meticulous analysis of historical and contemporary sources, the book offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between punishment, power, and social change, contributing to our understanding of the global phenomenon of mass incarceration.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503636699