Why “Pahlavism” Still Matters in Iran’s Political Future
Digital Object Identifier(DOI):10.5281/zenodo.17648137
Copyright © 2025 Professor Siavosh Kaviani Association for Kaviani Research Studies. All rights reserved.
Abstract
This article re-examines Pahlavism as a political ideology within the modern history of Iran and its relevance for contemporary debates about the country’s future. While scholarly literature on Iran has predominantly focused on Islamism or republicanism, the ideological framework associated with the Pahlavi dynasty (1925–1979) remains understudied. Pahlavism may be defined as a state-centered vision of secular modernization, Iranian nationalism, women’s emancipation, and cultural revivalism, pursued through top-down reforms under Reza Shah and Mohammad Reza Shah. Drawing on historical analysis, archival studies, and secondary scholarship, this paper argues that Pahlavism was not merely monarchical rule, but a distinctive ideological project aimed at constructing a modern nation-state.
The study further explores how Pahlavism continues to resonate in the post-1979 era. Protest slogans, diaspora discourses, and renewed interest in Iran’s pre-Islamic heritage illustrate its persistence as an alternative political identity in opposition to theocratic governance. By situating Pahlavism within comparative frameworks of political ideology, this article highlights both its achievements and limitations, including modernization alongside authoritarianism. The conclusion emphasizes that understanding Pahlavism is crucial not only for historical accuracy but also for assessing the full spectrum of ideas shaping Iran’s possible political trajectories in the twenty-first century.
Keywords
Pahlavism, Iran, Political Ideology, Secular Modernization, Nationalism, Middle Eastern Politics
Introduction
The study of Iran’s modern political ideologies has often focused on two dominant frameworks: Islamism, embodied by the Islamic Republic after 1979, and republican secularism, advocated by various opposition movements. However, a third ideological current—commonly referred to as Pahlavism—remains underexplored in academic literature.
Pahlavism can be defined as the state ideology developed during the Pahlavi dynasty (1925–1979), characterized by secular modernization, Iranian nationalism, centralization of political authority, women’s emancipation, and cultural revivalism of pre-Islamic heritage. While not codified in a single manifesto, this ideology was expressed through the policies of Reza Shah (1925–1941) and Mohammad Reza Shah (1941–1979), who sought to transform Iran into a modern, unified, and globally integrated nation-state.
Unlike Islamism, which grounds legitimacy in religious authority, or liberal republicanism, which emphasizes democratic participation, Pahlavism was fundamentally statist and top-down. Its central mission was to build a strong, secular state capable of resisting foreign domination and overcoming internal fragmentation.
Literature Review
Scholarly work on modern Iran has long centered on Islamism and revolutionary dynamics. Still, a substantial strand of historical and political scholarship examines the Pahlavi period as a state-building and modernizing project that articulated a coherent—if uncodified—ideological package. Works by Ervand Abrahamian, Stephanie Cronin, Gholam Reza Afkhami, Camron Michael Amin, Hamideh Sedghi, Eric Hooglund, and Talinn Grigor, among others, highlight both the achievements and shortcomings of Pahlavi modernization policies. Common themes include secular modernization, Iranian nationalism, women’s emancipation, and cultural revivalism, as well as critiques of authoritarianism, uneven development, and political repression.
Methodology
This study employs a qualitative historical-analytical methodology to examine Pahlavism as an ideological construct and to assess its contemporary relevance. The approach combines historical analysis, discourse analysis, and comparative political theory in order to reconstruct Pahlavism as a coherent ideological framework.
Historical analysis was conducted through the review of primary and secondary sources, including state documents, speeches, and policy programs from the Pahlavi era. Discourse analysis was applied to cultural and political narratives—such as education reforms, women’s emancipation policies, and heritage projects—that articulated secularism, nationalism, and modernization. A comparative framework was used to position Pahlavism alongside rival ideologies, namely Islamism and republican secularism.
Limitations: Archival access is restricted, existing scholarship reflects ideological biases, and the absence of a formal Pahlavist manifesto requires reconstructive interpretation. Findings should therefore be understood as interpretive insights rather than empirical generalizations.
Findings and Analysis
- Historical Foundations of Pahlavism
Reza Shah (1925–1941) established a centralized state, curtailed tribal autonomy, expanded secular education, and pursued infrastructural modernization. Mohammad Reza Shah (1941–1979) consolidated these foundations through the White Revolution (1963), which introduced land reform, women’s suffrage, and literacy campaigns.2. Core Ideological Elements
– Secular Modernization
– Iranian Nationalism
– Women’s Emancipation
– Cultural Revivalism3. Critiques and Limitations
Authoritarianism, unequal development, cultural imposition, and dependence on the West weakened legitimacy and fueled opposition.4. Contemporary Resonance
Pahlavism remains relevant as protest symbolism, diaspora politics, and identity reconstruction.
Discussion
Pahlavism represents a third path in Iran’s ideological spectrum, distinct from Islamism and republican secularism. It prioritizes state-led modernization, national unity, and cultural revivalism. Contrasting sharply with Islamism, which emphasizes clerical power, Pahlavism marginalized religion from politics. Compared to republican secularism, Pahlavism valued central authority and order over participatory democracy. Today, its resurgence reflects the re-appropriation of secular and nationalist values as an alternative to theocratic rule.
Conclusion
This article has argued that Pahlavism was more than monarchical rule; it was a distinct ideological project that combined modernization, nationalism, and cultural revivalism. While authoritarian methods undermined its legitimacy, its core values continue to resonate in Iranian society. The revival of Pahlavism in protests and diaspora discourse suggests that its ideological legacy remains alive. Future research should examine archival materials, sociological reception, and contemporary reinterpretations of Pahlavism in order to assess its place in Iran’s political future fully.
References
Abrahamian, E. (2008). A history of modern Iran. Cambridge University Press.
Afkhami, G. R. (2009). The life and times of the Shah. University of California Press.
Ansari, A. M. (2003). Modern Iran since 1921: The Pahlavis and after. Pearson Education.
Axworthy, M. (2013). Revolutionary Iran: A history of the Islamic Republic. Oxford University Press.
Cronin, S. (2007). Tribal politics in Iran: Rural conflict and the new state, 1921–1941. Routledge.
Hooglund, E. (1982). Land and revolution in Iran, 1960–1980. University of Texas Press.
Katouzian, H. (2003). Iranian history and politics: The dialectic of state and society. Routledge.
Sedghi, H. (2007). Women and politics in Iran: Veiling, unveiling, and reveiling. Cambridge University Press.
Original PDF Paper:
Why Pahlavism Still Matters in Iran’s Political Future
Professor Siavosh Kaviani was born in 1961 in Tehran. He had a professorship. He holds a Ph.D. in Software Engineering from the QL University of Software Development Methodology and an honorary Ph.D. from the University of Chelsea.
