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The Middle East pp 115–126Cite as

Revolutionary Iran and its Tribal Peoples

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Part of the book series: Sociology of “Developing Societies”

Abstract

Less than half of the total Iranian population of 35 million speaks Persian as a first language. Except for religion in the case of the 4 per cent of the population which is non-Muslim, language is used by Iranians as the main distinguishing feature of population groups. As the revolutionary process continues in Iran, distinctions between the Persian and the non-Persian populations, including tribal peoples, will undoubtedly have increasing political significance. Persians dominate all urban areas of central Iran and most of the plateau. Most high-level religious figures are Persians. National wealth and power are concentrated in Persian hands; the largest segment of the upper class is Persian. Persians fill most government positions, are the most highly educated and professionally trained, and are the most subject to Western influence. In addition, Persian language and culture, having been propagated from the centre, dominate the nation.

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Authors
  1. Lois Beck
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Editor information

Talal Asad Roger Owen

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© 1983 Macmillan Publishers Limited

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Beck, L. (1983). Revolutionary Iran and its Tribal Peoples. In: Asad, T., Owen, R. (eds) The Middle East. Sociology of “Developing Societies”. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-17282-5_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-17282-5_13

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-333-33618-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-349-17282-5

  • eBook Packages: Palgrave History CollectionHistory (R0)

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