International Journal of Political Science
International Journal of Political Sciences is an open-access, peer-refereed journal providing a platform for the publication of scientific articles in the areas of sociological and political researches. It is published quarterly (four issues per year) by Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch (Faculty of Law and Political Science). Journal DOI: 10.57647/ijps Journal Abbreviation: Int. J. Polit. Sci. Journal Title Acronym: IJPS Journal Owner: Islamic Azad University Publisher: Islamic Azad University, Co-publishing, OICC Press, UK Director-in-Charge: Garineh Keshishyan Siraki, PhD 0000-0001-8645-7295 Editor-in-chief: Arsalan Ghorbani Sheikhneshin 0000-0002-4005-1684
The Truth of Kautilya’s Relevance Today: Critically Assessing Contemporary India’s Neighborhood Policy
The significance of Kautilya in India’s foreign policy has been highly reiterated. This non-western political thought has been highly emphasized after the rise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India. The ‘Raja Mandala’ theory, which describes the immediate neighbor as an enemy, has been focused on explaining the geopolitical situation for India. However, it is essential to understand that India’s neighborhood is not only filled with foes but also friends. Thus, by analyzing the genesis of India’s neighborhood policy in contemporary times and its impact on the neighboring countries in South Asia, the study puts the idea of the Raja Mandala to test. Nevertheless, the study concludes that the implication of Kautiliyan ideas has led to the securitization of neighborhood and negatively impacted the South Asian neighbors. The study believes that the Kautiliyan idea is Machiavellian; thus, the theoretical or practical application is ambiguous and ambivalent.
Copyright (c) 2025 Manish Jung Pulami, Saroj Kumar Aryal (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Abraham Accords and the regional security of the Persian Gulf
The regional security of the Persian Gulf has always stood at the intersection of geopolitical rivalries, interventions by extra-regional powers, and ideological tensions among key actors. This security dynamic has led to the emergence of diverse approaches for crisis management and establishing stability, among which one of the most notable is the Abraham Accords between the Zionist regime and several Arab countries in the Persian Gulf region. This study, using library-based tools and note-taking for data collection, along with a descriptive-analytical method and qualitative content analysis for data analysis, and also drawing on the Copenhagen School of security studies, seeks to answer this question: What is the role of the Abraham Accords in the regional security of the Persian Gulf? The findings indicate that the Abraham Accords, by providing a framework for the normalization of relations between Israel and some Arab countries bordering the Persian Gulf, have in a way initiated fundamental transformations in the security structure of this region. This agreement has facilitated Israel’s military, intelligence, and security penetration into the geopolitical domain of the Persian Gulf and, as a result, disrupted the traditional balance of power in the region. Such a change has not only increased the dependency of Arab countries on extra-regional actors like Israel, but has also laid the groundwork for an arms race and intensified strategic confrontations between conflicting axes. Furthermore, the aforementioned accord has deepened the ideological and political rifts among Islamic countries—particularly on the issue of Palestine—and has destabilized the prior consensus regarding the Palestinian cause. This situation has further threatened regional cohesion and exposed the Persian Gulf’s security to even more complex challenges.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammad Shabani, Hassan Khodaverdi, Garineh Keshishyan Siraki (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Conceptual Application of the Social Imaginary in Analyzing Government-Society Relations during the First Pahlavi Period
The First Pahlavi Period holds significant importance regarding Iran's breaking from its traditional era and entering the modern world. A substantial part of this transformation stemmed from a shift in understanding the state and its functions. This understanding is derived from constructing an imagination that shaped the state during this period. This article aims to demonstrate imaginaries' role in forming the state during the First Pahlavi Period. Based on this, the main question is, to what extent can the conceptual framework of social imaginary or collective mentality be utilized to analyze the relations between the state and society during the First Pahlavi Period? The thematic analysis method has been employed for data analysis, relying on magazines, newspapers, stories, books, and political memoirs. The creators of the social imaginary during this period were intellectuals and writers, clerics, and Reza Shah. The research findings indicate that the shared imagination of intellectuals and clerics regarding the state during this period, driven by instability and the rise of separatist sentiments, was establishing a centralized and powerful government. As a result, they supported the fall of the Qajar dynasty and the rise of Reza Shah. However, the clerics later opposed the idea of a republic, as they viewed it as a form of government opposed to Islam. Ultimately, Reza Shah conceded to this demand, abandoning his aspirations for the presidency and declaring the monarchy instead. During his 16-year reign, Reza Shah aligned his policies with the intellectuals' imagination of the state, centering his actions around themes such as nationalism, the revival of ancient Iranian civilization, modernization, and Western-style development and progress. Thus, a new imagination was created that viewed the state as a provider of order and security and as responsible and proactive in developing military, educational, cultural, economic, judicial, and administrative systems.
Copyright (c) 2025 Zeinab Mahdavifar, Ali Asghar Davoodi, Ahmad Javanshiri (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Investigating the effect of virtual social networks on political activity and the type of attitude towards the political system (case study: students of Kermanshah Azad University)
Researchers agree on the ability of the Internet and virtual social networks to provide a favorable platform for the participation of as many people as possible in the process of political activities. The present study was also conducted to investigate the impact of virtual social networks on political activity and the type of attitude toward the political system among the students of Kermanshah Azad University. The current research is a descriptive-analytical quantitative survey. The method of collecting information was the library and field method. The researcher made a questionnaire as the tool used to collect the required data. After determining the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, the questionnaire was distributed and collected. The questionnaire was sent as an online link via virtual channels and groups at the university. The statistical population is about 13,000 people, and considering Cochran's formula, the sample size was determined to be 380 people. The data analysis tool was SPSS software. The results of the research show that the use of social networks has a coefficient of 0.477 on the determination of political orientation, the form of political participation, the context of information exchange and political discussion, the context for freedom of expression, the context for political communication and the context for political participation. Also, the level of use of social network has a significant effect on the political activity of users.
virtual social networks, political activity, political attitude, political system, Kermanshah Azad University
Copyright (c) 2025 Shahriar Kahrizi, Hamed Ameri-Golestani, Hossein Karimifard, Fereydoun Akbarzadeh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Women’s Participation in Post-Conflict Peace Processes in Nepal and North-East India: A Comparative Study
Nepal and some parts of India (North-East) have been the site of most protracted intra-state armed conflicts in the region. Women have been affected severely in both these regions, mostly as victims or survivors but also as warriors or as peace agents. In Nepal the decade long Maoist insurgency ended in 2006 with signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Subsequently, by accepting the United Nations regime (UNMIN), Nepal became party to the implementation of the Women Peace and Security (WPS) obligations, UNSCR 1325 (2000) and the post 1325 resolutions being the most outstanding manifestations of the same. Though women were not invited to the formal peace talks, but at the non-formal level women played a very important role. The armed conflict in the North-Eastern (NE) region of India triggered off since 1949 currently has ongoing 17 formal peace talks (Women Peace Conclave, 2016), but there is no women participation in these peace talks. Here too women have been victims as well as peace agents. Yet, unlike Nepal, the Government of India has constantly denied the existence of an armed conflict, and has maintained that the region is only a disturbed area. This makes it interesting to compare the two situations. The present paper is a critical analysis of the impact of implementation of 1325 in Nepal and India, and compares gender activism in peace process in Nepal and India’s North-East region.
Armed Conflict, Women, Peace Process, Participation, Activism, UNSCR 1325.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Sadhna Mishra sadhna (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Public Diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the Fourth Generation of Human Rights with Emphasis on the Effects of Artificial Intelligence on Human Dignity
Abstract The rapid development of AI-based and digital technologies has had a profound impact on various aspects of our lives. AI refers to a set of technologies that enable computers to perform advanced functions such as seeing, understanding and translating spoken and written language, analyzing data, and providing recommendations. However, as UNESCO has warned, AI also has the potential to negatively impact human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. As stated by UNESCO, "AI is the new frontier for humanity." While the artificial intelligence revolution presents new and exciting possibilities, it is important to carefully examine the anthropological and social developments that it brings. This research aims to investigate the impact of artificial intelligence on human dignity in the laws, foreign policy, and public diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, using the theory of international regimes and a descriptive-analytical approach. The research seeks to answer the question of how the development of artificial intelligence in Iran has affected human dignity within the framework of the country's modern public diplomacy. The findings of this research indicate that the Islamic Republic of Iran has also implemented various programs for the development and application of artificial intelligence in recent years, in line with other developed countries. However, it is worth noting that artificial intelligence has not been a significant aspect of Iranian public diplomacy. Therefore, it is necessary for decision-makers in the field of public diplomacy in Iran to pay more attention to the issue of artificial intelligence in the country's cultural strategies.
Islamic Republic of Iran, Modern Public Diplomacy, Fourth Generation of Human Rights, Human Dignity, Artificial Intelligence
Copyright (c) 2025 SEYED MOSTAFA SHARIFI, Dr. Garineh Keshishyan Siraki, Dr. Hassan Khodaverdi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Rationality in Fundamentalist and Anti-Fundamentalist Phi-losophy
In this article, after reviewing the difference between fundamentalist and anti-fundamentalist philosophy, the features of the rationality will be explained from the perspective of five anti-fundamentalist philosophers (Habermas, Richard Rorty, MacIntyre, Michel Foucault and Hayek). The common point stated by all these philosophers is that they all criticize metaphysics and doubt about the basis of fundamentalist narrative on the world that rely on two predicates: first, the world has rational constitution and it is possible to reduce it to precise mathematical relations and second, that basis of the world is reflected totally in the mind of human beings.
Copyright (c) 2024 International Journal of Political Science
At the Expense of the Country: Multi-level War Economy in Afghanistan and the Implication for Peace
<a href="https://oiccpress.com/ijps/workflow/index/7322/The present study systematically examines Afghanistan war economy and its impact on the achievement of peace by using the New Wars theory. Several levels of war commercialization in Afghanistan are identified that are at Governmental, non-Governmental, and global levels, each, contributes to the war commercialization in their own ways based on their interests. These levels are interdependent and that disrupting in one level can lead to disruption of the others. Besides, there are two types of commercialization regarding the security situation identified as Business of Security and Business of Insecurity in which the level is introduced. It turned out that such complexity and entanglement could be a serious obstacle for achieving peace in Afghanistan because all the parties have defined their realization of their interest in maintaining the status quo and spreading lawlessness and unrest in Afghanistan, in a way that even influenced their strategic decisions.">The present study systematically examines Afghanistan war economy and its impact on the achievement of peace by using the New Wars theory. Several levels of war commercialization in Afghanistan are identified that are at Governmental, non-Governmental, and global levels, each, contributes to the war commercialization in their own ways based on their interests. These levels are interdependent and that disrupting in one level can lead to disruption of the others. Besides, there are two types of commercialization regarding the security situation identified as Business of Security and Business of Insecurity in which the level is introduced. It turned out that such complexity and entanglement could be a serious obstacle for achieving peace in Afghanistan because all the parties have defined their realization of their interest in maintaining the status quo and spreading lawlessness and unrest in Afghanistan, in a way that even influenced their strategic decisions.
Chinese Soft Power: Creating a Charm Image in the Islamic World
The Role of Government in Economic Development; A Comparative Study between Iran and Malaysia During (1981-2003)
Investigating Political Development in Strengthening Sustainable Security in Sistan and Baluchestan Province
Fundamental Labor Rights in the light of The European Court of Human Rights
Freedom of association and The right of workers to bargain collectively
Challenges and Opportunities of Cultural Diversity and Human Rights
Peace and Security in Cyberspace wif a Cooperative-Based Approach in teh Field of International Relations (Case Study of teh Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
An Ideal Society from teh Perspective of teh Frankfurt School
Political Participation, Electoral Behavior and Democracy (Looking at teh Eleventh Iranian Parliamentary Elections, March 23, 2018)
The Changing Concept of Power in International Relations and Challenges of Iran’s Cyber Strategies
Comparison of Cultural, Symbolic, Social and Economic Capitals of the Clergy in the Safavid and Qajar Periods
Analysis of NGOs Advisory Status in International Environmental Law
Happiness in Plato’s Theory of Philosopher- King
Plato in Theory of Philosopher-King believes that all of the members of ideal city-state, whether ruler or citizens, will attain happiness if the philosopher is the ruler. But there are paradoxes in the theory and the bases of the happiness are unstable too. In other words, Plato in his theory presents hierarchical dualities (Intelligible/Visible world, Episteme/ Doxa,True/ Untrue Or Shadow, …) but is not bound to their necessities and tries to justify the (philosophical)theory by myth and allegory. Hence, happiness as an important and basic part of the theory has some problems and basically is not attainable.
War, Peace, and Cinema: Excerpts from the Foreign Policy of the USA with a Look at Stanley Kubrick’s Cinema
The notion of peace, regardless of theorizations accepted in th field and since the Enlightenment Period, and the era known as Modernism, has, constantly, been one of the challenges of mankind, and also scientists in the field of political sciences and international relations. Contrary to the presentation of the idea of peace and respect to the human rights in some of the foreign policy doctrines of the USA in different periods, this country has had the largest number of cases of application of army rage in its file, during the 20th century. This article sheds a brief look on the moments of the US foreign policy during the years of war with Vietnam, in combination with anti- war cinema introduced by Stanley Kubrick, the famous American film producer. In his movie, “Full Metal Jacket” he criticizes the American politicians, regarding Vietnam War. Although he has not provided a theory of peace, he is wholeheartedly, an anti war Film producer.
A historical Review of British Role in Iran-Iraqi Dispute on the Shatt-al-Arab Waterway
Relations between the third world countries in different parts of Asia and Africa during the 19th and 20th centuries, to a great extent, were influenced by the presence and policies of colonial powers. Thus, for a better understanding of roots of disputes and issues existing between these countries concerning frontiers, disputed Islands, political and prejudicial tensions, we need to study past history, especially the history of colonial era, including presence, interests and policies of great powers, specifically that of British. As, established colonial interests dictated, arbitral boundaries were established without any regard to the interests of nations concerned, artificial religions and creeds were founded and propagated, claims or counter claims between neighboring countries waged and supported, all of which culminated in longstanding disputes between the nations which occasionally became the source of most cruel and deadly wars. In the Middle East, because of the British entrenched interests, this policy of “divide and rule” is much more obvious. Surprisingly, the nations of this region, which are caught in such disputes, it seems are not aware of real roots of these differences and the role of the British Colonial policies in dragging on such disputes for long time. It is hoped that these two nations have learned enough lesson from the past history and futile animosity, and by better understanding of policies of “divide and rule” of some powers, threw away all historical prejudicial views and grasp to the policy of coexistence and good neighbor policy for the sake of prosperity , calmness and peace.
Machiavelli and the Foundation of the Modern Political Thought
The present article intends to start introduction to the political thinking of Machiavelli by passing through some key concepts in his thinking, and by placing his idea in the area of political thinking. Surveying ethics in Machiavelli’s political thinking needs separate individual ethics from political (civil) one. And explaining Machiavelli’s remarks about the category of ethics requires it to be evaluated from the ethical dimension. Common expedience (interest) as one of the most basic concepts in Modern political thought tried to empower its theoretical bases with the help of Niccolo Machiavelli, and made its absence in the political thinking absolutely unjustifiable. Power in the thought of Machiavelli in proportion with the type of political systems have been explainable, and its actualization has been needs to make distinction between this concept and Factualism (Superficialism). Realism, not in the sense of following the events, but creating them, and Factualism (Superficialism) is an attempt to reflect against changes, without understanding their internal reasons.bound to its contemporary definition and redefinition, following the changes in political time and space conditions, and finally, surveying the Realism in Machiavelli’s political thinking
Thinkers and philosophers have constantly benefited from different approaches of reasoning to explore and justify their ideas. Theses reasoning approaches are considered as the principle instruments in speculative activities of the thinkers. To this end to achieve the procedure of thinking and the way philosophers achieve objectives, it is necessary to recognize their reasoning strategies. This article intends to survey on the position of analogy in the thinking of Farabi, and to show how he used this type of analogy as one of his basic reasoning methods in exploring his ideas and thoughts.
A Comparative Study on the Concept of Political Legitimacy in Imam Khomeini and Jurgen Habermas's Thoughts
Political legitimacy is one of the basic and major concepts of political science especially political thought. Different views of the meaning and the concept of political legitimacy go back to the roots of political legitimacy. In this article by using a comparative style, the author will attempt to compare the concept of political legitimacy in Imam Khomeini and Jurgen Habermas's thoughts. Imam Khomeini and Jurgen Habermas have their special definitions for the concept of political legitimacy which are not similar to one another. Imam Khomeini's thought was based on religious ideas in terms of the Quran, while Habermas's thought has been shaped in western cultures which criticize the contemporary capitalist society. It is no wonder that in some cases they have common views which are the subject of this article.
Rural hierarchy cleavage analysis based on development indicators
Some of the most important characters in convenience are economic, social equity and optimal distribution of facilities of development among people in societies. Planners are, in different societies in direction for decreasing inequity and poverty, designing many plans. Fundamental steps in design' planning for capturing these goals is paying more attention to plans with an approach to reality in society. With a sufficient knowledge and diagnosis about real situation, we cannot be successful in planning. The goal of this paper is analysis of the Iran spatial organization with formation of classification for development. The kind of research is developmental and our method is analytical-description. This research used many important Indexes and various elements with statistical analysis. The technique used is in the form of multidimensional statistics that is cluster analysis. The conclusion with 14 in indexes show that 46 rural Areas are developed in Iran, 130 provinces of rural areas are in the process of development, and 63 provinces of rural Areas from Iran are underdeveloped. These conclusions could help the planners and managers for strategic planning in facing with problems in rural Areas in Iran.
An Analysis of the Stagnation Causes of the Iranian Political Culture
Cooperation & Conflict in Transatlantic Defence and Security Structure
The both Atlantic side relations from the ancient time had been faced with too much challenge but the continuing of this relation is due to the common political and economical interests. The upper Atlantic and the two organizations (NATO, EU) still exist to gain the essential goals and the political and security connection which are boosting with the economical integration at the same time. But we cannot neglect the disintegration of the two Atlantic sides and the approach of the US and the EU in facing with some serious treats such as terrorism which had created a big gap on the strategic and military designing of two sides. In fact there is another gap in the matter of defending investment which could be managed. The first gap caused the increasing of deference in military capability between the EU and the US in fulfilling the common military operations either in Europe or elsewhere. Although the military cooperation in NATO is very important, The US doesn’t make any contribution with its European allies in NATO to seek the national security strategy. Now concerning the new security challenged in 21 century, the main question is, whether the security and defense relation of two Atlantic side countries is moving towards cooperation or conflict?
The pattern of governance is a new topic which has found its traces in urban management, and has the features of continuance, decision making, justice, efficiency, effectiveness, clarity, accountability, partnership, and immunity, all of which are interdependent and empowering. According to this pattern, decisions about civil affairs are taken with the cooperation of government, private sectors and civil society. The present study focuses on the dimensions of participation in the good governance, and tries to measure the status of the 6th region of Tehran, in this regard, through a questionnaire.