The relationship between religion and the state has entered a new phase ever since the Iranian Revolution more than three decades ago. The recent mass uprisings against autocratic rulers in the Arab world have highlighted the potency of Islamist forces in post-revolutionary societies in the region, a force arguably unlocked first by Iran’s version of the ‘spring’ three decades ago. The economic ramifications of these uprisings are of special interest at a time when the possibility of the creation of Islamic states can have implications for their economic policy and performance again. A study of the Iranian experience in itself can offer rare insights whether for its own features and characteristics or for its possible lessons and implications for recent events in the region. This book is concerned with the economic aspects and consequences of the Iranian Revolution in general and its interaction with the international economy in particular. Many studies have to date dealt with Iran’s economic challenges, policies and performance in the post-revolutionary period but its interaction with the international economy – although of growing importance – has not received sufficient attention. The contributions in this volume by experts in the field address ways in which in the span of three decades, Iran’s economy has evolved from a strong aspiration to develop an ‘independent economy’ to grappling with debilitating international economic sanctions.

Seminar paper from the year 2020 in the subject Economics - Macro-economics, general, grade: 4.5, University of Luzern, language: English, abstract: With my paper, I will illustrate the economic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for the world while giving a short update on the current political situation. Nevertheless, I will keep the focus on possible consequences of Iran closing the Strait, be it on an international or Iranian level. This analysis will be carried out based on recent research. Additionally, similar situations which occurred in the past, namely the conflict between the US and Iran in 1988, which culminated in “Operation Praying Mantis”, can be used to predict the consequences of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz nowadays. Further on, I will construct two scenarios: one of further escalation and another one of de-escalation. Three indicators, that is the development of the price of Brent crude oil, numbers depicting Iranian GDP growth, and the Consumer Price Index will allow me to deliver a prognosis, on what effects each one of these scenarios might have for Iran as well as the global economy. The hypothesis, which is going to be reviewed in the conclusion of this paper, is the following: “A closure of the Strait of Hormuz would have serious consequences for the global economy.”

Contents: (1) Intro.; (2) Historical Context; (3) Overview of Iran¿s Economy; (4) Econ. Policy and Reform Efforts; (5) Iran and the Recent Global Econ. Turndown; (6) Econ. Stakeholders: Bonyads; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; Private Sector; (7) Econ. Sectors: Oil and Natural Gas; Ag.; Mfg.; Financial Sector; (8) Internat. Trade: Major Goods Traded; Key Trading Partners; U.S.-Iranian Trade; Internat. Sanctions and Internat. Trade; Trade Liberalization; (9) Internat. Financial Flows: Foreign Exchange Reserves; Foreign Invest. in Iran¿s Economy; Internat. Loans and Assistance; (10) Congress. Issues and Options: Unilateral and Multilateral Approaches to Sanctions; Impact of Sanctions on Iran¿s Economy and Policy; Action in the 110th and 111th Cong.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of Iran's political economy since the 1979 revolution and examines the country's energy sector.

Iran is an ancient country, an oil-exporting economy and an Islamic Republic. It experienced two full-scale revolutions in the twentieth century, the latter of which had large and important regional and international consequences, including an eight-year war with Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. And now in the twenty-first century, it confronts issues and experiences problems which have important implications for its future development and external relations. Featuring outstanding contributions from leading sociologists, social anthropologists, political scientists and economists in the field of Iranian studies, this book is the first to examine Iran and its position in the contemporary world. In developing this argument, topics examined include: social developments in the country including gender relations contemporary politics international relations relations with the US and Israel nuclear weapons and energy programmes oil and the development of the economy.

The political economy of Iran underwent the fundamental transition from feudalism to modernity from the early 19th to the 20th century: a period which was a vital watershed in Iran's historical development. This book provides a critical analysis of Iran's economic, social and political development and shows how the path to modernity, far from smooth, was hindered by both internal and international factors. These included a powerful monarchy with little interest in administrative and economic reform, a large aristocracy frequently holding vital provincial governorships and frustrating effective central government and a failure to create a modern civil service, military, banking, finance or communications - the essential infrastructure for economic development. Reformers were marginalised and business suffered. And the all-powerful ulema were a further brake on modernisation. On the international front, the rivalry of Britain and Russia compounded the problems: both acting to control Iran and to further their own interests. Hooshang Amirahmadi explores the roots of present-day challenges to modernisation and progress and, using a wealth of primary sources and original research, has produced a work which is invaluable for students of modern Iranian history, politics and Iran's political economy.

This paper takes stock of developments in the Iranian economy in recent years, reviews the key issues and policy responses, highlights the nature of the challenges ahead, and draws implications for the next phase of reforms. Iran has received much attention from a geopolitical and regional standpoint, but its economic challenges have not attracted a similar degree of interest. Yet, with a population of 69 million, considerable hydrocarbon resources, a dynamic and entrepreneurial middle class, and a relatively well-educated labor force, Iran's economic potential is considerable. Equally important is Iran's experience with economic reform, which deserves attention for several reasons: (i) Iran is in transition to a market economy, and the process has been neither been smooth nor supported by external conditions; (ii) significant advances have been made in recent years in opening up the economy to international trade and foreign direct investment, encouraging the private sector, removing exchange restrictions, reforming the tax system, and enhancing macroeconomic management; and (iii) despite the progress achieved, major challenges remain.--Publisher's description.