Reinventing Khomeini The Struggle for Reform in Iran
Where interest in Iran and Islamic fundamentalism is strong, this relatively academic study of that nation's politics since the fall of the shah is likely to circulate. Brumberg, a Georgetown University professor of government, dissects the political philosophy and behavior of Ayatolla Ruhollah Khomeini and then traces his legacy to the end of the twentieth century. Khomeini's notion of authority, Brumberg argues, was complex and even internally contradictory; he approached Shi'ism and his role as leader in terms of mysticism and charisma, in instrumentalist and utilitarian terms, and in traditional terms. During his years as Supreme Leader, all these disparate visions were institutionalized; since his death, this "dissonant institutionalization" has permitted politicians with very different agendas to claim, accurately, that their visions of Iran's future are drawn directly from Khomeini's words and ideas. This is not an easy read, but Brumberg's analysis does make the positions taken by the Iranian government, at home and on the world stage, substantially more understandable.Mary CarrollCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.