علمی - پژوهشی
نوع مقاله : مقاله علمی- پژوهشی
نویسنده
استادیار گروه علوم سیاسی، دانشکده علوم انسانی و اجتماعی، دانشگاه اردکان، اردکان، ایران.
کلیدواژهها
عنوان مقاله English
نویسنده English
Introduction
Today, due to the expansion of human societies and the complexities in human behavior and relationships, the concept of security has become broader and more complex. According to Friedman, the simplest idea of security is the absence of anxiety and the ability to counter any potential threat from others. In line with this concept, in the later stages of Western society, the states envisioned by Hobbes and Locke emerged to provide security for citizens under the social contract. In the East, political thought texts, such as the Letter of Tansar, also discuss governance styles and the application of security. Based on existing documents, one of the duties of governments in the Iranian Empire was to establish and maintain security. During the Sassanid Era, they were able to reunite Iranian society and, by relying on the Ahuric principles of the Zoroastrian religion, establish order and security. Therefore, in the Sassanid state, security was grounded in religious legitimacy, which can be observed in the political Books of Advice of that era, including the Letter of Tansar. Based on this, the present paper, utilizing Quentin Skinner's interpretive approach, seeks to answer the question: What is the meaning and concept of security in the Letter of Tansar?
Methodology
This study is organized around Skinner's interpretive approach and John Morrow's teleology-legitimacy model. Skinner finds textual and contextual readings insufficient for understanding political texts. He believes that, in addition to reading the text and considering its context, one must also understand the author's intention and purpose. In addition, Morrow's model, which stands as one of the most credible philosophical approaches for understanding the political order governing human societies, aims to identify the goals and functions of a political system. To achieve this, he specifies criteria to serve as a basis for political evaluation and norm-setting.
Discussion and Results
The most compelling evidence for the security-centric nature of the Letter of Tansar lies in its association of religion and kingship. The letter asserts that the alignment of these two elements results in security, justice, and public satisfaction. Tansar further emphasizes that the structure and organization of social classes form the foundation of societal security. He adds that the breakdown of the social and hereditary class system leads to insecurity, attributing this disorder to the absence of a king. Political and social security, governmental security, economic security, and religious security are among the most critical issues addressed in the Letter of Tansar. He views the monarchy and the king as the security referent objects and the ones responsible for ensuring it. Just as he believes in one God, he envisions a centralized system with a single king. Thus, based on the doctrine of one God and one ruler, He considers Ardashir to be the only individual capable of aligning earthly order with divine order through his possession of divine grace, thereby establishing security.
Conclusion
Drawing on the teachings of Zoroastrianism and the concept of Asha, Tansar highlights three crucial elements: cosmic order, true religion, and social order. He uses Zoroaster's ideas as the basis for establishing legitimate security in society. Tansar places the king at the pinnacle of society, responsible for maintaining security. He believes that the government's and the king's legitimacy stems from divine grace, which cannot be challenged. Tansar asserts that disrupting the earthly order - connected to the divine order - leads to various security risks, and the king must address these issues, even if it involves the killing of many people. Overall, the Letter of Tansar offers several recommendations for enhancing security in society through the legitimate rule of a religious king, resulting in the public good and the elimination of security threats. Key security issues in the letter include maintaining social order, responsibility, the vital role of the king, religion's role in legitimizing the government, utilizing secret operatives to oversee society, punishing offenders, and confronting heresy and religious innovations.
کلیدواژهها English
