The Narrative of Governance in Ayatollah Khamenei’s Political Thought

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Political Science, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

2 PhD Student, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

3 department of political science

10.22081/psq.2024.67822.2848

Abstract

The present study aims to trace Ayatollah Khamenei’s perspective on governance, covering the purpose of government, the identity of the ruler, the limitations on exercising power, and the right to protest against authority, using John Marrow’s teleology-legitimacy theoretical model and an interpretive approach. In response to the question of explaining Ayatollah Khamenei’s understanding of governance, a hypothesis is proposed that, given the rise of Shiite jurists to power and the political implications of modernity (citizen-rights), his view on governance is a synthesis of interpretations based on Islamic-Shiite tradition and human experiences derived from modernity. Findings indicate that, in terms of the purpose of government, its aim is to guide people toward a virtuous life along with material welfare, justice, resistance to oppression, security, spirituality, and ethics. Regarding the identity of the ruler, Ayatollah Khamenei believes in the guardianship of jurists generally appointed by the infallible Imam, contingent upon public acceptance of their authority. His view on limitations to power includes internal constraints such as piety, justice, and jurisprudential expertise, as well as external constraints like the constitution, ordinary laws, public will, freedom, and the press. On the issue of protest, he advocates countering subversive actions but is open to reformative actions within the framework of the Islamic system.
 
 

Keywords

References

* Holy Quran
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