Sarukhanyan Sevak

MODERNIZATION AND POLITICAL ISLAM IN TURKEY

Having thoroughly analyzed history of the emergence of the Turkish secular state and its consequent transformation, V.Sergeyev and S.Sarukhanyan draw the conclusion that it is wrong to explain success of political Islam in Turkey only by the current political conjuncture or charismatic qualities of Recep Erdogan. According to their assessment, political Islam in the country will continue to be enhanced. At the same time, the authors show that the victory over kemalist institutions is nowhere near the statement that the “Turkish model” of political Islam succeeded. In reality it is still at the stage of development and will soon face serious challenges with the main one being ideological.

DOI: 10.30570/2078-5089-2012-67-4-134-151

“WHITE REVOLUTION”: FAILURE OF MODERNIZATION FROM ABOVE

The article is devoted to exploring reasons for the failure of the “White revolution” – the modernization policy conducted since the 1960-s by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi,Shah of Iran. Having thoroughly analyzed economic, political and social components of the “White revolution”, V.Sergeev and S.Sarukhanyan come to the conclusion about the total inadequacy of the approach that connects the failure of the Iranian modernization to the reactionary and conservative character of its society. The research carried out by the authors persuasively proves that the essential role in the destiny of the modernization project was played by the Shah’s inability (or unwillingness) to modernize the state government system and the model of the relationships with the society. The origins of the collapse of the Iranian monarchy and its political course, according to the authors, are hidden in the reactionary character of this monarchy which assumed monopoly over the expression of the “common wealth” denying the society the right to determine and represent its interests by itself.

DOI: 10.30570/2078-5089-2012-66-3-132-145