Study of Chauvinism in the Attitudes of the Intelligentsia during the Constitutional ERA

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of chauvinism or extreme nationalism in the works of the intelligentsia during constitutional era. The importance of this historical era lies in the fact that it is seen as the inception of modernism in Iran. The intellectuals of that time, who tended to call their period the era of tyranny or despotism, were anxious to provide an explanation for the decline of Iranian history. In this regard, the major concern of the intelligentsia was the issue of patriotism or nationalism. Amongst the intelligentsia of this era, Fathali Akhondzadeh and Mirza Khan Kermani were the most prominent, who endeavored to present their nationalism under the veil of chauvinism and anti-Arabism, arguing that Arab invasion was the origin of historical decline of Iran.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s1p165