Traditional Governance and the Theology of Law

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Faculty of Political Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

If governance is to be designated into two respective categories, namely the traditional and modern periods, the foundations of political thought in Shiite Iran have assuredly been established on the traditional governance approach. Monarchy and Sharia constitute the two fundamental elements in the traditional governance archetype. The connotation of law in this concept is defined as the same as Sharia, and the monarchy is in fact the implementation of the law. This concept, which culminated in the Safavid period (1501-1736 AD) and later prevailed as a valid belief in this land, is the basis of Iranian political thought in the contemporary period. The jurists likewise attained a remarkable position in the traditional governance parallel with the perceived significance of Sharia as the law, and in some cases, shifted the political power balance in their favor. Nevertheless, the entirety of traditional governance fell into a state of turmoil and decline and underwent many transformations in the face of the emerging and potent rival of modernity. This article strives to study this occurrence of great magnitude in the most remarkable works of this period's intellectuals, including Mullah Sadra and Mullah Mohsen Fayz Kashani, and assess the relevance and consequences of this occurrence on the current presumed new situation.

Keywords

References

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