Linkages between Two Clerical Supervisions of the State and Other Relevant Issues

Abstract

The Safavid dynasty beginning with Shah Ismail literally imported Shiism as well as a Shiite clerical class into Iranian society and established its influence utilizing the full might of the Persian Empire. This basic driving force behind such a major undertaking was to bestow upon Iranian society a distinct national identity that could withstand the Ottoman Empire’s expansionism. Since then, the intertwining sway of the hierocracy (Shiite clerical institution) upon the State in Iran never ceased though the degree of its influence would fluctuate at times. During the Qajar period the influence of the hierocracy increased significantly. This trend continued and reached its highest level leading to the 1979 Revolution when the hierocracy took over the entire state apparatus.