Political Economy of Iran Under the Qajars

The political economy of Iran underwent the fundamental transition from feudalism to modernity from the early 19th to the 20th century: a period which was a vital watershed in Iran's historical development. This book provides a critical analysis of Iran's economic social and political development and shows how the path to modernity far from smooth was hindered by both internal and international factors. These included a powerful monarchy with little interest in administrative and economic reform a large aristocracy frequently holding vital provincial governorships and frustrating effective central government and a failure to create a modern civil service military banking finance or communications - the essential infrastructure for economic development. Reformers were marginalised and business suffered. And the all-powerful ulema were a further brake on modernisation. On the international front the rivalry of Britain and Russia compounded the problems: both acting to control Iran and to further their own interests.<br/>Hooshang Amirahmadi explores the roots of present-day challenges to modernisation and progress and using a wealth of primary sources and original research has produced a work which is invaluable for students of modern Iranian history politics and Iran's political economy.