Journal of Political Studies

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Role of Ideology in Foreign Policy: A Case Study of Iran


Affiliations
1 Department of Political Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
2 Department of Political Science, Centre for South Asian Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
 

The main purpose of the study is to analyze the role of Ideology and pragmatism in Iranian foreign policy. Main thesis is whether one factor surpasses the other while making the choices and decisions or both impacts equally influence the course of action in global political arena. The focus remains on the Iran's foreign policy towards the western world in general and America in particular. It also focuses the role of cultural disparity and why constructive breakthrough has not been achieved previously. Moreover, the cordial relationship with United States has been held in abeyance due to ideological clash and policy priorities between the two states. Iran remained focused more on ideology rather giving attention to US strategic concerns in the region since the end of cold war. Diplomatic behaviors of the states are results of the historical animosities and cordialities among the states. Moreover, Iranian policy priority has been anti-hegemonic and antiimperialistic designs of the big powers in the post-cold war era. They kept their ideology alive and remained fixed on their strategic interests and ideology. Moreover, the scenario in the post 9/11 has been changing and global environment continue to be tougher for underdeveloped and the developing countries. Iran has been suffering due to unlimited economic and political bans because it is not bowing before the global superpower. However, things started changing and a shift came up in the policy of Iran with the emergence of new rapprochement in shape of a historical deal with United States. It seems the Iranian policy has tilted more on the side of pragmatism.

Keywords

Foreign Policy of Iran, Ideology of Iran, Role of Ideology in Foreign Policy.
User
Notifications
Font Size

  • Baryshnikov, D.N. (2011).Ideological trends in contemporary world politics.Saint Petersburg: State University.

  • Burchill, S. (2009).Theories of international relations. London: Palgrave.

  • Griffiths, A. (2011). Causal relationship between culture and Foreign Policy in Muslim World.retrieved on 04.4.2016 fromhttp://www.e-ir.info/2011/09/06/thecausalrelationship-between-culture-and-foreign-policy-making-in-muslimcountries/

  • Henry, A. D. (1968). The age of Ideology. Washington: The New American Library.

  • Kruse,J.H.(1994).Determinants of Iranian foreign policy: The impact of systemic, domestic and ideological factors. M.A. Department of National security affairs, Michigan University, Michigan.

  • Morgenthau, H. (1991). Politics among Nations. Washington: Brooking.

  • Mozaffari, M.(2009). Islamist policy. Denmark: Centre for Studies in Islamism and Radicalisation (CIR) Department of Political Science Aarhus University.

  • Muzaffari, M. (2009).Iran’s Ideological Foreign Policy. Retrieved on 02.03.2016 from https://www.ciaonet.org/attachments/13833/uploads

  • Rahi, A. (1996). International Relations Theory and Practice. Lahore: Progressive publishers.

  • Thompson, K.W. (1991). The Struggle for Power and Peace. Washington: McGraw-Hill

  • Yaseen, I.M. (2007). Continuity and Change in the Revolutionary Iran Foreign Policy: The Role of International and Domestic Political Factors in Shaping the Iranian Foreign Policy, 1979 – 2006. Ph. D Thesis. Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University: Morgantown, West Virginia.


Abstract Views: 123

PDF Views: 1




  • Role of Ideology in Foreign Policy: A Case Study of Iran

Abstract Views: 123  |  PDF Views: 1

Authors

Umbreen Javaid
Department of Political Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Uzma Naz
Department of Political Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Muhammad Arshad Watoo
Department of Political Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Azhar Rashid
Department of Political Science, Centre for South Asian Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract


The main purpose of the study is to analyze the role of Ideology and pragmatism in Iranian foreign policy. Main thesis is whether one factor surpasses the other while making the choices and decisions or both impacts equally influence the course of action in global political arena. The focus remains on the Iran's foreign policy towards the western world in general and America in particular. It also focuses the role of cultural disparity and why constructive breakthrough has not been achieved previously. Moreover, the cordial relationship with United States has been held in abeyance due to ideological clash and policy priorities between the two states. Iran remained focused more on ideology rather giving attention to US strategic concerns in the region since the end of cold war. Diplomatic behaviors of the states are results of the historical animosities and cordialities among the states. Moreover, Iranian policy priority has been anti-hegemonic and antiimperialistic designs of the big powers in the post-cold war era. They kept their ideology alive and remained fixed on their strategic interests and ideology. Moreover, the scenario in the post 9/11 has been changing and global environment continue to be tougher for underdeveloped and the developing countries. Iran has been suffering due to unlimited economic and political bans because it is not bowing before the global superpower. However, things started changing and a shift came up in the policy of Iran with the emergence of new rapprochement in shape of a historical deal with United States. It seems the Iranian policy has tilted more on the side of pragmatism.

Keywords


Foreign Policy of Iran, Ideology of Iran, Role of Ideology in Foreign Policy.

References