Book contents
- Presidential Elections in Iran
- Presidential Elections in Iran
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures and Tables
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1 Theoretical Framework
- 2 The Age of the ‘Imam’
- 3 The Era of Reconstruction and Reform
- 4 Ahmadinejad and Secularisation: Rupture or Continuity?
- 5 Consolidation of Secularity
- Conclusion
- Appendix Presidential Elections in a Nutshell
- Bibliography
- Index
4 - Ahmadinejad and Secularisation: Rupture or Continuity?
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 May 2021
- Presidential Elections in Iran
- Presidential Elections in Iran
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures and Tables
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1 Theoretical Framework
- 2 The Age of the ‘Imam’
- 3 The Era of Reconstruction and Reform
- 4 Ahmadinejad and Secularisation: Rupture or Continuity?
- 5 Consolidation of Secularity
- Conclusion
- Appendix Presidential Elections in a Nutshell
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
Chapter 4 examines the 2005 and 2009 elections, which brought conservative hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power. In a similar vein to the previous chapter, it is argued here that, although conservatives stand in opposition to reformists, they are no less secularized than the latter. Surprisingly, and in contrast to the dominant narrative, Ahmadinejad’s 2005 election campaign was not centered on revolutionary values, such as obedience to the Leader, jihad and an ascetic Marxism. While the election was a victory for the conservatives, it did not usher in a return to early revolutionary values. As this chapter will demonstrate, during this period the social and political mindset of Iranians and their values changed tremendously, and domestic politics gradually become indifferent to religion. Significantly, the introduction of televised presidential election debates saw candidates cross many redlines and break many political and religious taboos.
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- Presidential Elections in IranIslamic Idealism since the Revolution, pp. 106 - 133Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021