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Sociologist Arjomand (SUNY, Stony Brook) explains the social and political eruption in Iran in 1979 and its far-ranging implications. He argues that Iran's tradition is closely tied to Shi'te Islam, which emphasizes legitimacy of political authority and succession. As secular control of Iran increased during the 20th century, competition emerged between the Shi'te hierocracy and the Shah. As the Shah accumulated power in an attempt to counter the control of religious forces, authority became personified. Hence, with the departure of the Shah from Iran, the internal state structure disintegrated and was replaced by revolutionary religious elements. (Key to the author's argument were the close ties between the Shah and the United States.) Munson, an anthropologist (University of Maine) studies the relationship of Islam to revolution in the context of comparative religion, examining the term ...Log In or Sign Up to Read More