Conceptual Framework for Understanding the Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran: The Dialectic of Fictitious Contexts and Realistic Possibilities

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran.

Abstract

The inquiry into the theoretical model that shapes the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran yields diverse explanations. This paper aims to address the main question of identifying the theoretical model shaping Iran's foreign policy, while also exploring its characteristics and the consequences of its application on national interests. It hypothesized that the model shaping Iran's foreign policy can be described as magical neoclassicism, a combination of neoclassical realism and magical realism. Within this framework, Iran's foreign policy is influenced not only by systemic pressures but also by the configuration and foundations of power at the domestic level. As a result, a foreign policy emerges that is rooted in a balanced identity, influenced by the prevailing nostalgia for Shiite and Iranian myths. This influence gives rise to fantastical themes and challenges the conventional understanding of causal and temporal-spatial relationships. Consequently, there is a propensity to seek certain causal relationships and supernatural elements within the context of the real world. While adherence to this model has proven effective in maintaining the political system, safeguarding territorial integrity, and addressing narrow security concerns, its efficacy is limited in the realm of broader security concerns, linear and constructive engagement with the international community, and a comprehensive understanding of the realities of the international system and other crucial factors. Indeed, the recurring foreign policy crises experienced by the Islamic Republic of Iran, spanning across different governments, can be traced back to this magical understanding of systemic pressures.

Keywords

References

 
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World Politics
Volume 12, Issue 2 - Serial Number 44
September 2023
Pages 63-91

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