AN INTEGRATIVE-INNOVATIVE APPROACH TOWARDS MOHAMMAD REZA SHAH AND IMAM KHOMEINI'S ADDRESSES' TO PEOPLE

Document Type : Research Paper

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Abstract

This study aims to employ an integrative-innovative model to examine the representation of Max Weber’s (1968) concepts of power (authority), legitimization and social injustice in Mohammad Reza Shah and Imam Khomeini’s addresses to people based on Halliday - Matthiessen (2014) Systematic Functional Approach. To do so, 14 (7 for each) speeches and messages were selected using simple random sampling method. The results indicate that material, mental and relational processes play a significant role in representation of the concepts in the mentioned discourses. The high distribution of the pronouns of “I”, “You” and “We” has paved the way for interaction between these two characters and people. Moreover, the analysis of text cohesion shows that the grammatical cohesive devices have contributed to the cohesion of either discourses more than lexical ones. The findings also indicate that their discourses, affected by situational and cultural contexts, seek to gain authority from their addressees. Moreover, Mohammad Reza Shah’s legitimization grows out of tradition, and that of Imam Khomeni comes from the personal charm or the strength of an individual personality, known as charismatic legitimacy with particular emphasis on Divine legitimization. Finally, although they try to establish social, economic and cultural justice in the societies of their time, Mohamad Reza Shah’s support of Kashf-e-Hijab command is a realization of social injustices in his discourse.

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