The Evolution of the Concept of Nation in Iran from the Constitutional Revolution to the 1979 Revolution

Abstract

The concept of “nation” underwent profound transformations in Iran from the Constitutional Revolution to the 1979 Revolution. Using historical discourse analysis, this study explores how political elites and intellectuals redefined the notion of nation during this period. Findings indicate that during the Constitutional era, the nation was perceived as a collective of subjects transitioning to citizenship, while in the Pahlavi era it became a tool for legitimizing the modern state. In the decades leading up to the Islamic Revolution, the concept gradually fused with religious-identity elements and turned into a revolutionary mobilizing force. These shifts reflected Iran’s ongoing tension between tradition and modernity, and between authoritarianism and participatory politics.