Foundations of Governance in ʿAṭā-Malik al-Juwaynī’s Political Thought

The period of Mongol dominance over Iran is considered one of the most turbulent and critical epochs in the history of this land, characterized by the collapse of former political and social structures. Within this context, Iranian elites and statesmen faced the fundamental challenge of "cultural and political survival" against a foreign, destructive,
and non-Muslim sovereignty. Among these elites, ʿAṭā-Malik Juwaynī (623–681 AH), a prominent historian and bureaucrat, played a unique role. He not only served as an official within the Mongol administrative apparatus but also, in his monumental work, Tārīkh-i jahāngushāy, formulated a political theory aimed at both explaining the status quo and providing a framework for its management and reform.
This research aims to extract and explain the principles of governance in the political thought of ʿAṭā-Malik Juwaynī. Adopting a descriptive-analytical approach, it addresses the fundamental question of how he designed a model of governance for managing society during a period of crisis by synthesizing Iranian-Islamic intellectual traditions with a realistic understanding of contemporary conditions. Although the book Tārīkh-i jahāngushāy is a historical work rather than a treatise on political philosophy, this article systematizes Juwaynī’s political ideas by extracting key concepts and recurring themes regarding the state, power, the ruler, and society.
Findings indicate that Juwaynī’s political thought is built upon several pillars. To justify his cooperation with the Mongols and to establish stability, he attributes their rise to "Divine Providence," viewing it as the inevitable consequence of the moral and political decadence of Muslim societies. Consequently, Mongol rule, however oppressive, is a "legitimate destiny" that must be accepted and managed for a successful transition. The central axis of his thought is justice as the fundamental condition for the survival of both state and religion—a multidimensional concept encompassing the provision of security, the seeking of redress, a fair taxation system, and the selection of righteous officials. In his view, the ruler (monarch) is the "heart of the state" who must ensure the health of the entire political body through the promotion of justice, prudence, courage, receptiveness to counsel, and a commitment to the prosperity and welfare of the people. Rather than a
total rejection of the new rulers, Juwaynī adopted a strategy of "reform from within." By skillfully synthesizing Sassanid bureaucratic traditions, Persian mirrors for princes (andarz-nāma), and Islamic principles, he designed a model of governance intended to educate and moderate the behavior of the Mongol Khans. Ultimately, ʿAṭā-Malik Juwaynī’s political thought is not an abstract theory but a practical strategy and an astute response to the profound crisis of his era. By presenting a model of governance based on justice and realism, he succeeded in establishing the intellectual and administrative foundations of the Ilkhanid state while preserving Iran's cultural and administrative structures, thereby ensuring the continuity of Iranian civilization. Thus, his thought stands as a prominent example of "resistance through cooperation" and crisis management in the history of Persian political thought.