The political economy of Iran under the Qajars : society, politics, economics and foreign relations, 1796-1926 / Hooshang Amirahmadi.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 294-309) and index.

"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."--Publisher's website.

2 Pre-capitalist Social Formations 8 -- 3 Population, Urbanization and Infrastructure 16 -- 4 Economic Forces and Transformations 32 -- 5 Political System and Public Policy 76 -- 6 Civil Society and Ideological Encounters 108 -- 7 Foreign Trade, Interventions, and Policy 136 -- 8 Class Alliances and Political Struggles 179 -- 9 Empirical and Theoretical Conclusions 232.