The Incarcerated Modern: Prisons and Public Life in Iran

Iran's prison system has played a significant role in shaping its political modernity, from a decentralized empire with few prisoners to a modern nation-state with over a quarter million prisoners. Golnar Nikpour's book explores the interplay between the concrete space of the prison and the production of new public cultures and political languages in Iran, connecting Iranian history to transnational carceral histories.

Format: Paperback / softback
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 into 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.

To explore this dynamic, Golnar Nikpour 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 rich tapestry 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 demonstrates how carceral confinement has shaped modern Iranian political movements.

Moreover, The Incarcerated Modern extends its analysis beyond Iran's borders, connecting Iranian history to transnational carceral histories to shed light on the shared architectures, economies, and techniques of modern punishment. By examining the global phenomenon of mass incarceration, the book offers a comprehensive perspective on the complex web of factors that contribute to the proliferation of prisons and the disproportionate impact they have on marginalized communities.

In conclusion, The Incarcerated Modern is a groundbreaking work that provides a profound exploration of the relationship between politics, imprisonment, and societal transformation. Through its meticulous research and insightful analysis, the book offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of modern punishment and its profound impact on individuals, communities, and nations. It is a must-read for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of contemporary society.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503637634