Iran: Islam and Political Participation

The political structure sanctioned under the authority of Islam has long been debated. In fact, it has been an issue of contention since the Shi\u27ite-Sunni split following the dispute over who should succeed Prophet Mohammad as the leader of the Muslim nation. As a result, religious sects that have developed over the past fourteen centuries have often attempted to establish some form of an Islamic government in an effort to turn back the clock to the days of political power & stability, economic prosperity, and scientific & artistic accomplishments during the Golden Age of the Islamic Empire. Today, this debate has evolved into one over whether or not democracy, as defined by the West, is workable under Islam. One major example where this debate has been significantly conducted is in the contemporary Islamic Republic of Iran that arose out of the 1979 Revolution. In light of the February 2004 electoral disqualifications of many parliamentary candidates in Iran, this research aims to determine whether or not political participation and democratic elections are feasible realities within Islam in general, and under the Islamic Republic of Iran in specific