The theory that each country adopts to confront the international system and also act within this system is of two types: independent and dependent. Independent in the sense that this theory emerged from a set of perceptions, thoughts and ideas of a nation that has been shaped in the light of history and myths of the nation and dealing with the experiences and logic of ideological struggles as well as in the light of peace, war and crisis – as turning points in international relations.
The dependent means that this theory has been derived from theories, myths, logic and experiences of other countries, and has become a theory or a practical pattern for them. For example, the theory of American foreign policy is independent.
In this respect, since the triumph of the Islamic Revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran as an independent movement – that claims to promote justice throughout the globe – has adopted a particular theory apart from the borrowed patterns. Hence, the existence of an independent abstract-concrete model requires the definition and analysis of the experiences, traditions and myths of Iran and Islam. One of the main sources that is considered as the constitution of Islam is the Holy Quran.
Given the teachings of this book and the present order governing the global arena, we try to look at the model of independent foreign policy. But before dealing with the indicators of the stance anti-imperialism interactive policy, it should be noted that the independent theory is not a mere affirmative or negative theory, but rather it would include both; in that, it enjoys existence both essentially and with respect to other entities.
The theory we present here is also is essentially the theory of an independent state which is flexible in the face of the unjust order of the international system. The fixed and changing differentiae of this theory are called affirmative and negative indicators respectively.
The indicators and various forms of such pattern are comprised of two affirmative and negative dimensions. The constant or affirmative differentiae of this pattern are: looking at international relations from a scientific perspective as well as justice being the guideline on achieving peace in the international arena.
The variable or negative differentiae of this pattern are as follows: raising awareness among nations against the states seeking dominance and introducing resistance as an alternative to having an interaction that is accompanied by attempts at de-escalation.
Affirmative Indicators of the Model of Anti-Imperialist Interactive Policy
Analyzing the foreign policy of the Islamic system of governance, Ayatollah Javadi-Amoli believes that there are seven principles to adhere to by the Islamic State to observe justice. He states that such principles would constitute a framework for Islamic international relations.
In the following some of the principles of the interactive policy of anti-imperialism are mentioned:
1) Equality and human brotherhood
2) Political justice
3) Judicial justice with respect to the unbelievers
4) Efforts for global peace and the prevention of spreading discord and warfare
5) Forgiveness
6) Giving priority to guidance over violence
7) Negation of domination
The Negative Indicators of the Pattern of the Interactive Policy of Anti-Imperialism
As we have mentioned, there are several indicators for the model of anti-dominant interactive policy. Such indicators include the constructive and consolidating factors of this model against the current situation and order governing the international system.
They are as follows:
An analytical view on the prevailing theories governing international relations (resistance in the light of scientific thinking): although the world has witnessed the ruling of domineering powers over other centuries for centuries, now the dominated and isolated governments claim to have control over their affairs and have the right to self-determination. Whereas the domineering powers defined the twentieth century as their own century, geography, ideology, history, philosophy and attitude, but the twenty-first century is the beginning of a new and different experience in this field.
In fact, the science of history, geography, art, philosophy and politics are to be built upon various political, economic and cultural powers that have shaped those sciences. (Yazdani and Toyserkani, ibid. 23)
As Michel Foucault states, relations of power without resistance are varied and can be complemented by regional and global strategies as the same as the power itself. (Foucault, power-knowledge: 142). Therefore, instead of power-based relationships, it is possible to enumerate thousands of alternative stories that shape history; the history from the viewpoint of those that have been involved in resisting state and geopolitical function.
Such resistances can be described from the perspective of the subordinates (dominated); a state in which colonial relations, domination, army, politics, and culture of the country and its elite class are challenged. This attitude reflects the language of the dominated classes, which is full of anti-hegemonic struggles and resistance to the cruel government forces in domestic and foreign policies. Indeed, it is on the basis of such a view that classical science-based approaches are accused.
What is called Islamic political and, like, Islamic fundamentalism, is rooted in two things: the general root that is the struggle against colonial domination and a specific root that is the impacts of globalization which has developed the phenomenon of politicization of culture. The application of the values of traditional culture to confront foreign domination began from the very beginning of the entrance of colonialism into the region, and this led to the emergence of different forms of Islamic revival. (Dal Seung Yu, The Middle East: The Arena of Confrontation Between the Hegemonic Discourse and the Anti-Hegemonic Discourse, 495)
Informing: In the era of globalization of communication and networking of information systems, creating awareness is not so difficult. Hence, and since these networks are widespread and dependent on their audiences, part of the informing process is carried out by the information networks of the domineering powers, and the other part, which is neglected, should be done through awareness-raising movements.
The development of communications and the access of all societies and nations to information and media networks have prevented the propaganda policies and unilateral claims of the domination system to continue influencing their audiences.
The expansion of mass media, the availability of massive amounts of information and its rapid transfer through various and non-exclusive channels including satellite and internet, have tightened the noose around the media monopolists so that sometimes they have to broadcast the messages of their enemies at any moment and be on demand for all people across the world in order to maintain their target audiences.
With that said, there have been developments in the global arena that indicate the spread of awareness:
1) The spread of Islam as a school that teaches struggle, brotherhood, kindness, peace and friendship among human beings;
2) Strengthening and increasing the ties between the government and third-world nations
3) People exerting pressures on the dependent governments which are subordinate to domineering powers.
4) The expansion of the resistance of standing anti-imperialism nations and democratic governments gaining power. (Mohammadi, ibid. 60)
Resistance: An Alternative To “Having Interaction that is Accompanied by Attempts at De-Escalation”:
The Islamic Revolution of Iran enters its fourth decade while standing on all its principles and ideals, and bringing about various manifestations and effects. Undoubtedly, the name of the Islamic Revolution today is intertwined with the rejection of domination and confrontation with American imperialism and global Zionism.
The negation of domination reflects the political values and principles of the Islamic Revolution and shows the continuity of anti-hegemonism within the nature of the Islamic Revolution and its goals. Having relied on the great power and political, social, cultural and spiritual capacities of Islam, the Islamic Republic of Iran has brought hopes for nations seeking freedom from domineering systems.
In an analysis of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Mortaza Motahhari has addressed the origins of the Islamic movement during the past half-century of Iran. He also examines the process of the long-standing struggle of the Iranian nation against the Shah’s regime, and refers to the colonial policies of the United Kingdom and the United States in Iran, believing that such phenomenon accelerated the process of confronting the American and British domination in Iran. (Motahhari, Islamic Movements in the Last Hundred Years: 25)
By changing the tone and expanding the scope of threats against the Islamic Republic over the past two decades, the United States has tried to isolate Iran but failed to succeed. The United States’ acts of sabotage especially in Iran’s nuclear programs and continuous accusation levelled on this country of creating a dangerous situation throughout the region or over the globe, show that the Western animosity toward Iran and the Islamic Revolution, in fact, has been a response to the development of models of anti-imperialist policies as well as standing up against the United States’ excessive demands in the region and throughout the world.
There have been other reasons for the West’s opposition to the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the most prominent of which are the enlightening role Iran plays in exposing the nature of the usurper Zionist regime and the influence of the Islamic revolution on the resistance movements against this regime. According to political analysts, the most important achievements of the Islamic Revolution in the regional and international arena include taking a leading role in justice-seeking and expanding the movement of Islamic awakening through making the taboo of invincible Israel collapse. This has highlighted the position of Islamic Iran as a prominent and inspirational role model in the Islamic world and within international politics.
In fact, with the triumph of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the policy of domination and, consequently, the Zionist movement – which was built upon the Western colonial thought to dominate the Islamic world and the Middle East – faced a major obstacle. The main problem of the West with respect to the Islamic Republic of Iran is the country’s new plan and agenda that is inspired by and pioneer of the Islamic ideal of justice.
One of the universal messages of the Islamic Revolution is “neither East nor West” which was placed on the facade of the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran after the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This slogan is a reaffirmation of the message of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic of Iran to reject any dependency on world powers and became the strategy of Iranian foreign policy. With such an approach, Islamic Iran has emphasized defending the rights of the oppressed nations, and in the same vein, has considered the notable cry of “Death to America and Death to Israel” as a motto for its revolutionary and anti-imperialist movements in an attempt to reject imperialism and aggression.
Therefore, it seems that a pattern that plays a role in foreign policy is in total opposition to the militant system. In dealing with such a system that considers itself to be the leader of people and countries throughout the world, we should not employ the policy of interaction. Hence, the de-escalation policy is paradoxical, since this system of domination, that is claims to aim at reducing tensions, is the origin of tensions and crisis.
Archive of The Enemies of the Islamic Revolution
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