The Quest for Power in Iran: Principle Questions and Methodology

Abstract

The main themes of Political Islamic thought and ideology, using three broad schools of thought, have been outlined in this chapter along with the research methodology used herein. A critical analysis of primary and secondary sources related to the writings of Khomeini, Shariati and Bazargan provides a conceptual framework for this research. In addition, in order to summarise their ideas, ideological comparisons are made between five key aspects. These comparisons seek to demonstrate how these thinkers managed to invoke regime change and introduce into the political structure of the new government the Islamic ideologies they had created. The five aspects are as follows: the explanation of the situation, the system of knowledge, the system of norms, the system of government and public policy.