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The Dolphin Show: A Story of Consensus in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Travis, Michael Adolph
Travis, Michael Adolph
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Abstract
The scope of this dissertation serves to analyze the Islamic Republic of Iran not as a distinctive formation of state processes and legalities, as it is typically categorized, but rather as a standard model of authoritarian state organization. Through the use of the revised-WZB model proposed by Carsten Schneider and Seraphine Maerz, this claim of Iran’s “uniqueness" is tested and exemplified in six frames of analysis to join the classic ‘hybrid structure’ that Iran is routinely classified as with to the more common authoritarian structure that is present in the majority of non-democratic states. This effort is conducted to establish how and why Iran utilizes public consensus-building techniques as a means to remain in power. The title of this work, The Dolphin Show, depicts the findings of this dissertation as an historical allegory from a brave journalist, Masoumeh "Masih" Alinejad-Ghomi. During the administration of Iran’s sixth president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005-2013), Masih wrote a groundbreaking article, Avaz-e Dolphinha (The Song of the Dolphins) published in the Etemad Melli (a former opposition newspaper that is now completely censored—including all copies Avaz-e Dolphinha). Masih claims that Ahmadinejad conducts his administration in the same manner a dolphin instructor would conduct training, handing out “food” (money) in exchange for a desired behavioral outcome. This example, although funny and equally individual, captures the complexity and accuracy of consensus-building-processes within Iran today.
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Thesis (B.A. in Political Science)--John Cabot University, Spring 2019.
Date
2019
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Keywords
Politics and government, Islam and politics, Islam and state
Citation
Travis, Michael Adolph. "The Dolphin Show: A Story of Consensus in the Islamic Republic of Iran". BA Thesis, John Cabot University, Rome, Italy. 2019.