Nativism as the Iranian Version of Counter-Enlightenment: The Comparative Analysis of the Identity-Minded Intellectuals` Reaction to the Pahlavi`s Quasi-Modernism
1
M.A in Political Science, University of Mazandaran, Iran
2
Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Mazandaran, Iran
3
Professor of Political Science, University of Mazandaran, Iran
10.22034/ipsa.2026.570
Abstract
What choices have we Iranians faced in recent decades, and what were those who presented us with these choices thinking? On one side lies a form of pure idealism—a mental state in which one is ready to sacrifice many things for principles and beliefs. On the opposite side is rationalism, characterized by a science-oriented life and the prioritization of individualism, solidified through modernity, the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and the French Revolution. This thesis aims to answer the question: What is the relationship between the discourse of nativism among intellectuals of the Second Pahlavi era and the discourse of anti-Enlightenment? The research hypothesis suggests that the nativist discourse of intellectuals during the Second Pahlavi era, due to its romanticism, anti-rationalism, and emphasis on authenticity, aligns with the broader framework of the anti-Enlightenment discourse and can be correlated with it. This study employs Isaiah Berlin’s concept of “anti-Enlightenment” as its theoretical framework to examine the nativist discourse of intellectuals during the Second Pahlavi era based on its characteristics. It seeks to evaluate Fardid’s thought regarding authenticity, Jalal Al-e Ahmad’s ideas concerning national and ethnic identity, and Shariati’s central discourse of “return to the self” in relation to the main components of the anti-Enlightenment discourse. The research method is descriptive-analytical
Asadi,N , Abbaszadeh Marzbali,M and Ghezelsofla,M . (2026). Nativism as the Iranian Version of Counter-Enlightenment: The Comparative Analysis of the Identity-Minded Intellectuals` Reaction to the Pahlavi`s Quasi-Modernism. (e570). Research Letter of Political Science, (), e570 doi: 10.22034/ipsa.2026.570
MLA
Asadi,N , , Abbaszadeh Marzbali,M , and Ghezelsofla,M . "Nativism as the Iranian Version of Counter-Enlightenment: The Comparative Analysis of the Identity-Minded Intellectuals` Reaction to the Pahlavi`s Quasi-Modernism" .e570 , Research Letter of Political Science, , , 2026, e570. doi: 10.22034/ipsa.2026.570
HARVARD
Asadi N, Abbaszadeh Marzbali M, Ghezelsofla M. (2026). 'Nativism as the Iranian Version of Counter-Enlightenment: The Comparative Analysis of the Identity-Minded Intellectuals` Reaction to the Pahlavi`s Quasi-Modernism', Research Letter of Political Science, (), e570. doi: 10.22034/ipsa.2026.570
CHICAGO
N Asadi, M Abbaszadeh Marzbali and M Ghezelsofla, "Nativism as the Iranian Version of Counter-Enlightenment: The Comparative Analysis of the Identity-Minded Intellectuals` Reaction to the Pahlavi`s Quasi-Modernism," Research Letter of Political Science, (2026): e570, doi: 10.22034/ipsa.2026.570
VANCOUVER
Asadi N, Abbaszadeh Marzbali M, Ghezelsofla M. Nativism as the Iranian Version of Counter-Enlightenment: The Comparative Analysis of the Identity-Minded Intellectuals` Reaction to the Pahlavi`s Quasi-Modernism. Ipsa Journal. 2026;():e570 (In Persian). doi: 10.22034/ipsa.2026.570
