Iranshahri politics
Political thought is an intellectual system that addresses the generation and distribution of power in society. Compared to ideology, political thought is more rational and flexible, while also being more solid, reasoned, mature, and realistic than mere political perspectives. The seeds of political thought emerge from the needs of society and evolve to address its challenges. Over time, it becomes refined and grounded in the identity and essence of the people, making it both presentable and acceptable. In the construction of a political thought, worldviews (the purpose and reason for the world’s existence and humanity’s role in it), social customs, and belief systems play significant roles.
The political thought of Iranshahri is a subset of the broader Iranshahri thought, which has maintained the continuity of Iran’s cultural and social identity over centuries. The Iranshahri political thought is a school of thought built on the foundations of world governance principles and statecraft from ancient Iran.
Thanks to a well-organized and deep-rooted system of thought in matters of world governance and state management, Iranians succeeded in establishing powerful and efficient systems of government across multiple periods. Both the Achaemenid and Sasanian models were admired, emulated, and copied by other nations in later times. The Avesta, ancient Iranian inscriptions, Pahlavi texts, certain advice and wisdom books, and of course, Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh—all of which are fundamental sources of Iranshahri thought—contain valuable teachings on political thought as well.
Writings such as those of Suhrawardi, Tajarib al-Umam and Jawidan Khirad by Ibn Miskawayh (which include the advice, recommendations, and legacies of Ardashir I, Anushirvan (Khosrow I), and others), the Siyasatnama by Nizam al-Mulk Tusi, Qabusnama by Keikavus ibn Iskandar, Adab al-Saghir and Adab al-Kabir by Rozbih pur-i Dadoe (Ibn al-Muqaffa), Tajnama by Al-Jahiz, and Marzbannama are other sources where elements of Iranshahri thought, including its political dimension, can be discerned. The Iranshahri political thought acted as an invisible thread linking pre-Islamic Iran to post-Islamic Iran, serving as a powerful tool in preserving Iranian identity during those turbulent centuries.
The foundation of Iranshahri’s political thought was rooted in the responsibility of kingship to uphold natural laws (Asha) and legal justice (Dad). “Asha” or “Arta” represented cosmic order and the natural law governing the universe. Some aspects of Asha can be seen in today’s concept of “Karma.” Upholding Asha, which is also reflected in the word “Ordibehesht,” was the ruler’s duty in respecting humanity, nature, and the cosmic order. It is clear that exploitation, enslavement, human sacrifice, and the destruction or pollution of the environment were considered the actions of “liars” and “demon-worshippers” aimed at violating Asha.
The customary law (Dad) in Iranian society was derived from societal norms. The prevailing national ethics, which stemmed from Iranian values, rituals, and traditions, determined these customs, and in turn, the laws (Dad). In Iranshahri’s political thought, the king was not a legislator but rather a defender of the law (Dad), a law that originated from societal customs and under whose protection all citizens lived. This view differs greatly from the perception held by some that the king was above the law or even equated with the law itself. In reality, the king was a protector of societal norms, which themselves were shaped by civic ethics and national traditions, and his rule operated within that framework. Social customs undeniably reflect the morals and collective thought of a nation, so the king had to be the guardian of his people’s norms, values, and identity.
To summarize the ethical nature of politics in the Iranian perspective: While in Achaemenid Iran, world governance, statecraft, and the management of public affairs defined political action, in its Greek version, politics more closely resembled the modern conception of politics—with all its cunning, corruption, and ties to power and wealth.
These concepts, which form the pillars of Iranshahri political thought, are as follows: the divine right of kingship (Farr-e Kayani), monarchy (but not tyranny), the connection between religion and state (but not their unity), public welfare as the goal of governance, development, a strong and centralized state, and meritocracy.
For more explanation and resources, see the Persian section.