Strategic Studies Quarterly

Abstract The end of the Cold War and termination of mutual support of the great powers from dear decedents, globalization, the fight against terrorism since 9/11 and decrease of support of terrorist groups by the states and etc. have led terrorist organizations to commence Mafia activities and to secure more financial resources for their own activities. Therefore, some new organizations have been established with a mixed feature, that is, mutual cooperation of mafia organizations and terror organizations. The paper offers an analysis about this development and focuses on the PKK as a case study. Since early 1990s PKK has been involved as a accomplice to mafia organizations but later it was involved directly with this kind of illegitimate activities and now it has a strong linkage we organized crimes. This linkage contributes to survival of this terror organization and therefore should be considered in developing strategies to contain terrorism.
 
 

Abstract   The papers discusses first theories of possible analyses of the Saudi Arabia’s society from a political sociology perspective and then tackles active and inactive gaps in the field of religion and its sectors, tradition and modernism, pros and cons of the government and finally the generations gaps and tribal ones.  The main argument of the paper is that due to the lack of proper political, social, cultural and economic bed, and also with the short of a significant external crisis – like oil price drop- the social gaps in Saudi Arabia will not be activated and rather will be in a low profile mode and so the socio-political forces will not be strong enough.
 

Abstract The Syrian crisis has led to a very important restructure of power and region of groupings. With the analysis that President Assad's government over meant is going to be toppled down very soon, Turkey supported the Syrian a position in a very strong way. After extension of the crisis, the Syrian Kurdish party (PYD) which is equivalence of PKK for Turkey took the power in northern Syria which is located closer to southern Turkish border. In this situation, there I S I L and Turkey began to keep closed eye on it and became passive. This led to termination of peace process in Turkey and in the meantime labeled Turkey as supporter of t ISIL.  The authors of the paper believe that enjoying realism and ontology approach,  the Turkish approach against the I S I L can be analyzed;  it behavior that for the Turkish leaders is because of the absence of optimal options and security concerns.

Abstract The idea of societal security has been proposed by Copenhagen school in recent 1990s.Later on, by broadening the concept of security, new aspects of security such as existential security is devised which can be described in context of societal security. This article, after theoretical explanation of societal security, reviews the description of liberalism, communitarianism and religious democracy from this aspect of security. He argues that, religious democracy by emphasizing on ideational aspects and focusing on congregation, and by  changing ethnical and cultural difference to variables not constant rules and emphasizing on Islamic brotherhood and rights of other non-Muslim minorities, could afford to manage societal challenges.

Abstract Middle East and Arab world observers and analysts have been confused by rapid and chainlike spread of Arab world revolutions. This article argues that neo-patrimonialism, as Hisham Sharabi says, is the forming factor behind these events. Meanwhile, despite similarities among Arab governments, we see some differences in factors like presence of civil society institutions, global links and communications of regimes, personality of Arab autocrat leaders, intervention or non-intervention of great powers and social formation (tribal or non-tribal) of countries. These differences are among determining factors of state interaction with people and protestors. Authors claim that the less patrimonial and the more democratic   state will decrease   violent and rough interactions between state and people.

Abstract

The principles of classification and the boundaries of Islamic thought and political jurisprudence is drawn based on belief and accordingly, the world is divided in two territories Darulislam (land of Islam) and Darulkufr (land of infidelity). On the other hand, in the contemporary world, the Islamic countries are divided into too many nations.  The way of compatibility between this division and the Islamic United Ummah has attracted the attention of many Muslim thinkers and they have offered some solutions to this dichotomy. Imam Khomeini believes that Islamic Unity is the solution for this problem. For him, if the Muslims throughout the world, inspired by the Islamic Revolution, are awaken (and acquire the Islamic truth) and put aside the minor and sectarian differences and establish an Islamic government, due to the proximity of their beliefs, rules and purposes such a close relationship will appear among them that a new entity will emerge as if only one government rules in the Muslim World.

Abstract

There are four prominent actors in new power balance inIraq: US and UN forces, internal Ethnic and religious groups,Iraq's neighbors and global terroristic institutions. Each of them tries to make the futureIraqin its own favorite way.This essay tries to evaluate the present and future situations inIraqby explaining goals, facilities, interests and strategies of the mentioned actors. In addition,Iran's favorite scenario about futureIraqis discussed among other probable options.

Abstract Most of the scholars agree that the Modern Society has underwent a fundamental change and different terms, such as postmodern era, post-materialist society and so on has been used for characterizing this development. Abovementioned development, according to German sociologist Ulrich Beck, is not surpassing Modernity but is deepening of it. By coining the term of “risk society”, he tried to demonstrate that in late modern society, we have been facing the ubiquity of risk in every sphere of life and the vast knowledge of people regarding the risks. In that society, threats and risks are not in the form of natural disasters but are originated from the activities of human beings and technological developments.Any change in the threats and risks will be translated into the new policies, because one of the most important functions of politics is combating the threats.

Abstract Living in the wide range of diversities and the recognition of these diversities is among the most characteristic features of the modern world. Because of extensive and permanent migrations and the extensive and international communications and the globalization of economic activities, more or less, every society around the world has become diverse and multiethnic society. On the other hand, if we define the function of police institution as establishing order and security in a society, it become clear that this institution must be accommodated to the emerging trends and circumstances of its society. Accordingly, in many countries and even in many cosmopolitan cities, charters and codes of conduct has been designed, so that their aim being as making smoother and more effective functioning of police institution. After a brief discussion on the meaning and the content of concept of diversity, in this paper, central and common themes of abovementioned charters and codes of conduct, which were proposed for more effective working of police in diverse societies, will be examined.

Abstract As two paradigms, Human Security and Sustainable Development approaches, gained importance in the post-cold war era, with the leading role of UN organizations. Proposing these paradigms, suggests that the scholars and researchers had observed some inconsistencies in the former paradigms of security studies. Then in a near look, this becomes evident that these paradigms criticize the similar subjects (such as state-centred strategies for obtaining security and overlooking the true needs of human beings, neglecting the environmental dimension of security and rights of future generations) and propose some similar guidelines(giving priority to human individual in the evaluating and preparing the list of threats, focusing on protecting the Environment and its importance in the securing the health and security for human beings and the well-being and the life quality of future generations, taking into consideration the newer threats, especially threats of the global scale, and paying attention to the political arena and participation, poverty and threats it causes).   Then, it can be argued that, there will be many overlaps and similarities between two paradigms, among others these paradigms rest on common tenets (society, economy and environment), although with some nuances in emphases. In this paper, after investigating the content of two paradigms, the lessons that these two can learn from each other will be discussed and it will argued that according the aforementioned arguments , these two can be merged in a comprehensive and single paradigm which probably will be called “Sustainable Human Security” paradigm.

Abstract Ted Robert Ger is one of the prominent researchers in ethnical studies that unlike modernist researchers don’t use only from one factor in explaining ethnical conflicts, but sees it as multilateral and multidimensional phenomena. In this article, after studing the main concepts of ethnical issues and different attitudes on it, varios ethinical groups in Ger's view have been discussed and then the main effective factors in shaping ethnical conflicts including prominence and importance of ethnical – cultural identity, motivations of ethnical – political action (Past grievances, fear from the future and hope for gain privilege), capacity of ethnical – political action and options and apportunities (apportunity structure) have been detailed and analyzed.    

Abstract Following the Skinner's method in reading of political paper, the paper is examining security in Nizam – ul – Mulk's perception as a notably thinkers in political curriculum. In his explanation there is 'organic' relation between subjects' security and the king's power. Security make proper situation for developing subjects' welfare and resulted that the king could assess taxation in incomes of them for improving the 'treasury' of kingdom. So this balance and equilibrium between them is necessary so that subjects couldn't take power and independence for making resistance in front of the king and would be in mercy and horror situation. The main security problems in the kingdom as Nizam – ul – Mulk's perception are increasing the power of the other kings, appearing the seditious and the impious in the religion, the king's weakness and dubiety on enforcing the force, unemployment, and dominancy of children and women in the kingdom.

Abstract Defects and imperfections of classic theories of social movements in explaining the new movements were impelling the social and political scholars to set up new models and theories for exploring them. The paper contains the conceptual explanation of social movements and their differences with the kinship vocabularies such as political parties and sectarians and so on; briefly description of Smelser''s collective behavior, Charles Taylor''s resource mobilization and political process theory and the last extendedly examines the differences of the old and new social movements. So as follows of the latter, the strategic goals of new social movements are going to affect public opinion and public attitudes, but in return for the old ones were searching to seize the political power. With these theoretical views, examining the unrest of the Azerbaijan of Iran in May 2006 is shown that the main causes in this public protest were ethnic identification, correcting of the improper portrait on the ethnic groups and cultural claims.

Abstract     Various theories have been developed during the past decade on human security; but most of them have remained at the theorization level and have failed to offer an assessable idea at the practical domain. This research discusses the most renowned methodologies for assessment of human security including the theory of general poverty, human security assessment, human security indicator, project for change in world environment and human security, report method of human security and TillerIn the Unitedincluding economic security, health safety, social safety, environmental security and personal security. This conceptualization of human security is one of the broadest and complete perceptions of security and at the same time has been subject to harsh criticisms due to its broad inclusiveness without creating a firm systematic relationship among its elements.Indexing and models of assessment discussed in the writing are based upon such views it as more suitable than the other models.    

Abstract Human security is one of the concepts which have been developed in order to go beyond the traditional sense of security and national security. With respect to human security, there is relative consensus on a fairly comprehensive definition that includes the maintenance of the critical mass of all human kinds vis-à-vis the prevailing threats, consistent with long-term human fulfillment and flourishing. This writing examines the difference of human security from related concepts such as individual security, human development, human rights and sustainable development and then describes strategies for the realization of human security, that is conservation strategy and empowerment. To propose and explain the idea of human security is of importance both theoretically and in policy-making terms. From a theoretical point of view, developing human security is considerable in a more comprehensive and complete view toward the category of security. In terms of decision-making, human security can also help design strategy, (re)formulate priorities and replace some of them, give priority to software elements along with hardware ones, boost civil society and institutions and pay attention to fairer distribution of resources.

Abstract At the world level and in general trends regarding attention to ethnic affairs, two general courses can be identified. The first is a course that pay attention to the  cultural diversity and supports it and the second is a course to which the idea of a single state, a single nation and a single language is still attractive. Previous ideas and notions to the effect that diversities will fade out in the process of industrialization and modernization were refuted and even in some  cases the demographic proportion of minority groups increased. The conjunction of the aforementioned trends along with postmodern thoughts that have questioned the foundations of the modern thinking and its meta-narratives such as nationhood led to the rise of the idea of cultural rights of minorities and ethnicities. However, in the Third World countries and such regions as Eastern Europe, certain factors have caused the negation of such rights and violent treatment of advocates of cultural diversity rights. These factors include the persistent attractiveness of a coherent and homogenous nation, the prevalence of conspiracy theory, regional problems, and a misperception of the globalization process.

Abstract What is real security and how it may be acquired? To answer this question requires reconsideration of previous thinkers’ theories particularly those proposed by thinkers of the realist school, which seek security under the shadow of a strong state with huge military equipment within the frameworks based on coercion and violence. The author maintains that such definition will bring about increased insecurity. Therefore, in order to achieve real and lasting security, current concepts on security must be revised and it should be sought in more fundamental processes such as cultural values, socialization processes, consensus and collective cooperation. In other words, it should be looked at from a sociological perspective. Hence, this article is of both analytical and prescriptive nature and answers the question that which parameters contribute to the sense of security and what sociopolitical and economic relations are more likely to create maximum security for individuals, nations and the entire earth planet. To do so, the author proposes and extrapolates the concept of security within a sociological and simultaneously holistic framework in order to include three individual, national and international levels. In his view, this inclusive perspective needs the explanation of the relationship between the two categories of ideology and border in its sociological version.

Abstract Trust is one of the fundamental and less-attended issues in social and political studies and it constitutes the basis of the society and social relations. Discussing the sources of trust and its importance in various spheres, this research focuses on social order. With respect to the sources, the article identifies two types of social or sociological sources on the one hand and intellectual, philosophical or doctrinal sources on the other. Two discussions of economic performance and social equality are included in the heading of the first source, and certain moral outlooks, beliefs and values are counted under the heading of intellectual sources. There are three kinds of social order and corresponding types of trust, the establishment of order that corresponds to the habit based on the habitus and it acts through custom, fame and memory; regulating order that is based on emotions and affection acting according to family relations, friends and the community; and auxiliary order that is founded upon trust as based on policy, conscious compliance with the rules and commandments and perception of their usefulness, and it acts according to cohesion, tolerance and legitimacy. These kinds of order act alongside each other and are related with the other elements of the society. Therefore, change in any of the aforementioned elements may affect the subject and issue of trust as well. Furthermore, trust has a mutual relationship with the other elements of the society and influences them as it is affected by the others. Therefore, the appearance of a problem in one of these aspects may be followed by a circle of declined trust. This is a point that should be considered in the formation of social and political developments.

Abstract The author believes that the Islamic Republic of Iran, after a period of negating and rejecting international organizations, came to the understanding that these organizations, because of the new developments and new appraisal of interests, can be, first, an instrument for the preservation of the country’s rights and security, second they may help Iran to go out of isolation, and third they may support and safeguard the Islamic Republic vis-à-vis the dangers of the unipolar world. In this relation, while tending to non-Western organizations such as the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of Islamic Conference, Iran embarked on the initiative of creating new regional organizations. While established earlier, the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) became more active with the adhesion of members from the newly independent former Soviet Union republics. Iran’s success in regionalism may be evaluated as somehow relative and slight. The reasons accounting for this slight success can be counted as follow: the divergence of the regional countries’ strategies, certain countries’ concern about Iran particularly small countries and the Persian Gulf states, the willingness and even eagerness of these organizations’ members to work with the United States (whereas the Islamic Republic of Iran regards such organizations essentially a means for battling against the United States) and the lack of complementary character of regional economies. Nonetheless, the organizations’ success relate largely to the creation of a forum for proposing discussions and preventing tension in other areas. Furthermore, some important economic projects and linkages among the various networks of these countries make promising the prospects for future activities and probably the promotion of European status.

Abstract Chantal Mouffe is among the thinkers who have formulated a political theory after the post-modern storm in which he considers the achievements of post-modernism and the criticisms made on modernity. To Mouffe, the modern reason has to accept its constraints and to regard human subject not as persistence, single, essential, and true but as a changing and fluid, forming creature, product of power relations and the interaction with the constructing other. So, there will not be any authentic identity which ought to be explored, developed and liberated. The product of power relations and interaction with human otherness will negate the adverse role of the other and demonstrate to the human subject that he is always affected by others and probably affect them, and not every thing is pre-existing before him. Therefore, mutual learning should be on the top of the socio-political activists’ agenda for deepened democracy and the establishment of a radical and pluralist democratic society. In this way, certain conditions should be provided so that various different minorities become able to criticize the society and the majority’s beliefs; this will contribute to mutual learning, decline in conflicts and change in the identities in a democratic space. To reach such a conception, we have to view the other as one with whom we do not feel enmity, but we oppose his viewpoints and beliefs, however we respect his right for having a different outlook and proposing it.

Abstract The study of the rights of minorities and ethnic groups in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Constitution indicates that despite the absence of a specific and coherent pattern and the failure to make use of mainstream models for the attraction and confirmation of the minorities’ participation in this legal instrument, the rights of the groups in question are referred to and reserved in various ways. In the Islamic Republic’s Constitution, three categories of ethnic group, religious minority and denominational minority have been distinguished, and while the religious minority may be combined with the two other groups, separate rights have been provided for each of them which themselves can be amalgamated.   Undoubtedly, the rights of minorities are discussed when there is kind of difference, and most of Iranians and the religious government arising from the Constitution are largely different from the religious minorities. Hence, the designers of the Constitution have paid much attention to the religious minorities whereas the mere ethnic minorities have not been subject to much attention.   Apart from the seats reserved for the religious minorities in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, there is a one-article act providing for the respect for their religious rights and performance of their religious rituals. However, religious and ethnic minorities, due to their commonalties in religion, have been regarded as part of the majority Iranian society in terms of social and political rights. Therefore, in cultural domain, their rights for continuing their cultural existence have been sanctioned and the freedom of religious rituals for the Muslim denominational minorities has been respected according to the act in question.

Abstract