Triumph and Despair: In Search of Iran's Islamic Republic

Triumph and Despair chronicles Iran's first four decades after the 1979 revolution, from a democratic, populist, and Islamic coalition to a consolidation of power by the Islamists, a reformist interlude, and a return of populism and authoritarianism. Iran remains at odds with itself, its economy too deeply political, and its foreign relations too conflicted to allow it a productive place in the community of nations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd

Triumph and Despair vividly chronicles the dramatic story of post-revolutionary Iran's first four decades, spanning from its establishment in 1979 to the present day. The revolutionary coalition that toppled the monarchy was characterized by a democratic, populist, and Islamic ethos. The Islamists, particularly the Khomeinists, were adept at capitalizing on the prevailing conditions on the ground, framing the constitution of the new republic, capturing nascent institutions, and consolidating their power through a reign of terror.

Following the conclusion of the war with Iraq and the passing of the charismatic founder of the new order, Ayatollah Khomeini, the Islamic Republic underwent consolidation. This process began with adjustments to institutional arrangements and was further reinforced by fostering economic development and post-war reconstruction. However, a reformist interlude was abruptly reversed by a resurgence of populism and a broader authoritarian retrenchment.

Today, Iran finds itself in a state of internal conflict, with its economy deeply intertwined with politics, hindering meaningful developmental outcomes. Additionally, its foreign relations are characterized by conflicts, preventing it from assuming a productive role in the international community. As Iran's diverse nationalities, women, and youth carve out their spaces within the broader narrative, competing identities, including religious, national, and other affiliations, thrive.

After forty years, the Islamic Republic continues to navigate a journey of self-discovery, striving to establish its identity and purpose in a rapidly changing world.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781787388031