Location
The British Academy
The Constitutional Revolution of 1906 is widely recognised by historians of Iran as the moment in which the foundations of the modern Iranian state and politics were laid. For all its practical and immediate failures, the Constitutional Revolution had a profound effect on the political culture of the country, establishing the principles of parliamentary representation and shaping popular attitudes towards the state long after the turmoil of revolt had subsided. Giving voice to powerful nationalist impulses, the causes and consequences of the Constitutional Revolution continue to dominate political discourse in Iran to this day.
This international conference will bring together scholars from East and West to discuss the intellectual roots and consequences of the Revolution. It will focus, in particular, on the impact of Enlightenment thought on the intellectuals that formed the vanguard of the Constitutional Movement and the means and ways in which they engaged with new ideas of political organisation and sought to make them their own. How did Iranian thinkers, scholars and political activists draw on and apply ideas of constitutionalism and the rule of law? How did they understand the challenges facing their country, and how, in particular, did they seek to inculcate a popular sense of patriotism and national purpose? The conference will also look at the historiography of the Constitutional Revolution; how it has been subsequently interpreted by both academics and politicians.
A central theme of the conference will be the intellectual engagement between East and West and the inter-relationship of ideas that emerged. It will be of interest to scholars of Iran, Europe and broader intellectual history.
Accepted papers and panels announced: 15 May
Deadline for participant registration: 10 July
Deadline for paper submission: 14 August
Conference dates: 14-16 September
Deadline for submission of revised papers for peer-review and inclusion in conference publication: 16 October
Publication of conference proceedings: Autumn/Fall 2016
For further details please contact:
Aran Byrne, Gingko Library, 70 Cadogan Place, London SW1X 9AH
Tel: +44 (0)20 7838 9055
Fax: +44 (0)20 7584 9501
aran@thegingkolibrary.com