
Social Change in Iran
An Eyewitness Account of Dissent, Defiance, and New Movements for Rights
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A multi-level insider's look at the changes transforming contemporary Iran.
Description
Social Change in Iran is an inquiry into the recent changes in Iran, blending scholarly analysis, eyewitness accounts, and the author's personal experiences. It tells the stories of everyday people, be it young men and women challenging the cultural and social mandates of the Islamic Republic, or workers toiling at multiple jobs to overcome harsh economic realities. This passionate homage to the people of Iran as told by a native is a glimpse into the human feelings and aspirations of a people subjected to varying forms of violence at home and widespread misunderstanding abroad. At the same time Yaghmaian provides an informed analysis of the widening political divide within the state, and the emergence of a movement for reform, both of which have shaken the seemingly indisputable foundations of the Islamic Republic.
Behzad Yaghmaian is Associate Professor of Economics at Ramapo College.
Reviews
"…this book is a must read, indeed an eye opener, for all, including those misguided left-leaning (populist) activists who regrettably believe that the government of the Islamic Republic in Iran is anti-imperialist and thus worthy of their moral support. Bon appétit!" — Review of Radical Political Economics
"Yaghmaian's book is a captivating eyewitness account, told by a knowledgeable insider … While explaining the many shortcomings of the revolution, the author makes no false pretense to hold the answers … Instead, he focuses on everyday struggles and lets the voices of ordinary citizens speak … This is a book that deserves to be widely read. " — Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Non-Profit Organizations
"Social Change in Iran is quite unique and modern. It explains the pace of rapidly changing events taking place in Iran, by sifting through the concerns, hopes, and dreams of a people. This book makes a powerful and passionate statement that at the same time enables the reader to recognize the key players and events shaping the new Iranian polity and society. " — Henri Lustiger-Thaler, coeditor of Artful Practices: The Political Economy of Everyday Life
"Yaghmaian's work is timely and lively, dealing with a significant topic that has not yet been analyzed in English—the new generation in Iran. " — Ervand Abrahamian, author of Tortured Confessions: Prisons and Public Recantations in Modern Iran