Strategic Studies Quarterly

Abstract The main question of the article is what is the good and appropriate basic discourse of the national security governance in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which can establish security in this system with the least cost, paradox and undesirable consequences? In response, the author argues that among the four discourses of "identity-based", "progress-based", "power-based" and "security-based", the basic and central discourse that is suitable for the Islamic Republic of Iran is the discourse of "identity Is the "basis" or identity. This central hypothesis or proposition of the article means that the pursuit of progress, equipping with power and building security is only in the light of the development of identity and belief that can bring maximum security in the Islamic Republic of Iran with minimum cost, paradox and adverse consequences. Of course, it is important that identity should be considered as the first and main priority which means that identity is not in the service of power, security and progress and is given priority over them. In this sense, turning away from the ideals of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, or in other words, secularization; means a situation in which identity serves power, security and progress or acquires a secondary status in terms of importance. In this case, even security will be fragile and unsustainable.

Abstract The studies conducted as part of this article show that the network of intellectuals created by the United States during the Cold War realized the ineffectiveness of a hardline and negative approach to opinions of the left and moved to provide an internal reading of it as the "non-communist left" by adopting a soft and affirmative attitude, while recognizing this orientation. By developing and supporting this idea, which transforms communism within itself and criticizes it while epistemically belonging to the left's ideology, this network promoted an alternative model that served the political purpose of institutions of power and their funders, namely curbing the influence of the Soviet Union, while undermining the foundations of the legitimacy of eastern European governments. 
 

Abstract IR theories focus on mechanism of state socialization to explain effects of nature and structure of international relations. Using this metaphor, they describe how structure and nature of international system changes or shapes state actions. This article discuss socialization of states from rationalist and constructivist approaches, answering these questions: What is the concept of socialization in each approach? And what strategies do they propose for socialization of states? Authors claim that because of the differences in ontology and epistemology between two approaches, there is a basic difference on their description about nature and strategies of socialization.  

Abstract : theoretical analysis of nuclear policy is not a frequent matter, but there are different theoretical frameworks in response to question of nuclearization and dis-nuclearization policies of countries. This article analyses problems of current theories on nuclearization and dis-nuclearization, and propose strategic identity as an alternative framework.

Abstract The main task of the government is serving security. The security challenge is either by other states which is called threat to national security or by domestic groups and individuals against each other which is demonstrated with weakening the government and disappearing social order. The government has the supreme power and in order to serve security and to project sovereignty, it creates some instruments and organizations which military and police force is the foremost one. In order to serve security and order within the society, the police establish an organization and based on its own threat perception, it adopts some strategies and tactics to reach the above goal. Needs to mention that although the police is static, however, the security environment, instruments and threats are dynamic. During the last two decades, one of the effective elements in this dynamism has been globalization. The effective mechanisms of globalization in respect to the police tasks and strategies are studied in the current paper.

Abstract Although, so far, the international system has not witnessed absolute domination of a single and only one dominating power in all political, social, military and cultural aspects, many theoretical attempts have been made to explain possible situations for such a system. The main question of the present study is: "What are possible theoretical forms for an international system based on axis of a superpower and what are its characteristics and the way of interaction between the actors inside that system?" Many of the papers in this field believe that only Unipolar and Hegemonic systems are qualified with the characteristics of a Single Power System.  The present paper, while surveying these two types of international system, is introducing another Single Power System which is Empire System (different from its traditional model). Therefore, the author attempts to study and compare the logics of internal relationship, interests of dominant power and nature of social relations (structure of social network) belonging to each of the above three models.       

Abstract Although, so far, the international system has not witnessed absolute domination of a single and only one dominating power in all political, social, military and cultural aspects, many theoretical attempts have been made to explain possible situations for such a system. The main question of the present study is: "What are possible theoretical forms for an international system based on axis of a superpower and what are its characteristics and the way of interaction between the actors inside that system?" Many of the papers in this field believe that only Unipolar and Hegemonic systems are qualified with the characteristics of a Single Power System.  The present paper, while surveying these two types of international system, is introducing another Single Power System which is Empire System (different from its traditional model). Therefore, the author attempts to study and compare the logics of internal relationship, interests of dominant power and nature of social relations (structure of social network) belonging to each of the above three models.       

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 Alexander Vent as a distinguished constructivist thinker does argue that the problems of the scholars of international relations and the political scientists were just be understanding of global politics and power distribution without thinking about what constructed the global system and how it organized. Vent by reviewing the current schools of the international relations field is criticizing the neo – realism so that it is important but by focus on individualism and materialism is imperfect. That is paying more attention on decision makers without any mentioning on social structures that shapes the individuals. Crucial critique of Vent is deal with materialistic views of neo – realism as an objective willing and properties. Here the main hypothesis of the article by exploring the political from the constructivist view is that the political actors do often pursuit to substitute recognition on power (in the neo – realism) and wealth (in the neo – liberal view).

Abstract In the Ancient period religious knowledge system and classic political philosophy didn't in itself focus on security. Inward security in the pre-modern era, in fact, was rooted in the fatality that unavailable for the human being. They were lived in the spiritual atmosphere and believed in the divine destiny that flow over in the natural law and latent harmony in the universe in which definite his/her life and inward security. The Stoic philosophy, in addition, was based upon this order which linked to the Plato's and Aristotle's and Christianity philosophy, the later. In stead of the past, modern political philosophy that constructed the modern state was paying more attention on power and security.Here the purpose is reviewing what and how the transition occurred in the history of political thoughts and for doing it, it is necessary to definite how the men converted. Author by exploring how the modern mankind emerged in the west and explanting the characteristics of him/her is trying to form into the existence and evaluation of the political theory by referring to the two important thinkers: Machiavelli and Hobbes. Resulting that men by denying the gifted and destined order felt alone, and inevitably insecurity and unsafely made more important than. So security made way as the fireplace of the modern age.

Abstract Postmodern scholars have developed three following statements and thus affected the method of cognition and study of social relations: First, perception of the world as the text and the necessity of interpreting it; second, basing knowledge on power and historical nature of truth; and third, distrust in meta-narratives. With the three above statements, the positivist presumptions and even positivist achievements were seriously challenged, because according to positivist observational experience, first the world was regarded as reality containing truth, second knowledge was achieved independently devoid of power relations, and third there is a universal code of rules and laws that is beyond time and space. Examining the important points in postmodern understanding, this article seeks to answer the question which relation exists between the study of strategic issues and recognizing the meaning and criteria of security and the methodological findings of postmodernism. On this basis, "the postmodern method of analysis rejects the legitimacy of modernity and its achievements, but it fails to propose any alternative on how to relieve of modern insecurity. The result of this incomplete view is the distrust of people and groups in the sources of power and prevalent interpretations of truth."

Abstract Following the domination of Caliphate current especially after its transformation into monarchy, we witnessed the deprivation of the Shii denomination from having a government. Consequently, the pattern of “spoiled government” was introduced as the dominant discourse for the analysis of the conditions and proposing solutions. Although the prevalence of this discourse lasted for a long time due to political circumstances, the rise of the Safavid dynasty provided the grounds for the appearance of a new discourse in the area of the Shii political thinking. The author has described this new discourse as making political power religious.   This discourse is founded on three principles including:   Principle one: circulation of power which implies the production of soft power and its reproduction within the framework of the Shii political jurisprudence organization.   Principle two: circulation of method which indicates the transition of Shii jurisprudents from mere realism to committed idealism.Principle three: circulation in the ideational organization of power which implies the presence of Shii jurisprudents instead of political philosophers in the production of political theory creating or supporting the government.On this basis, the author addresses the reasons for and quality of the Shii jurisprudents’ attention to political power and support for it. Then, he traces and extrapolates the place of security in the new discourse drawing on the main thrusts of political thoughts of scholars such as Mohaghegh Karki, Moghaddas Ardabili, Feyz Kashani, Mohaghegh Sabzevari and Allameh Majlesi.

Abstract This article seeks to answer the question that what the factual understanding is and how it is possible. The author’s hypothesis is that in the realist understanding, ‘causal explanation’ takes precedence over the ‘description’ (as is common in the hermeneutic outlook) and over the ‘prescription’ (as is prevalent in logical positivism). This article has chosen Hobbes’ Leviathan as the classical example of realist analysis and has founded its arguments on that everlasting work and explained them. On this ground, initially the key teachings of the realist school are described in the context of four categories, namely the conviction and truth, definition of positions based on power, according priority to political morality, and granting independence to the sphere of political action, and then methodological requirements of realism are offered. The author, in this section, refers to materialism, analysis and synthesis of statements, nominalist semiotics of concepts and finally the definition of conditions according to their antitheses, and concludes that Leviathan is though the most important reference in the modern political science, the book fails to deal with such issues as how such facts like national interests and the Leviathan’s interests are distinguished and separated. Other facts include how savage and wild human beings conclude and enforce a contract, and more importantly, whether the rationalist reason is reliable in justifying all human behaviors.