Spektrum Iran

Pacifism of Iranians in Political Relations with the West; A Study from 1906 to 1951

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

Ali Akbar Alikhani 1
Arash Poorjafar 2

1 Department of West Asia studies, Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran,Iran

2 Iranian studies, Faculty of world studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/spektrum.2025.490803.1009
Abstract
Iranians have had to adopt various political approaches in their interactions with Western governments in their modern history due to the colonial powers' military presence and political influence. One of these major and dominant approaches was adopting a friendly policy and peaceful relations. This study examines the role of pacifism and the peaceful political behavior of Iranians towards major Western powers, addressing why, despite violent encounters with the West, Iranians continued to engage in friendly and peaceful relations. This emphasis on establishing friendly relations and adopting a pacifist approach was pursued theoretically by intellectuals and practically by statesmen and politicians. The research findings indicate that Iranians sought a friendly relationship with the West to preserve their territorial independence, achieve political stability, and foster civil advancement and prosperity. The knowledge and technology of the West were deemed essential for industrial and civil progress, and friendly behavior from the West was necessary for political stability within Iran. Economically and militarily, the country could not confront the West, and any coercive policy from Iranian politicians led to an even more aggressive response from the Western powers.

Keywords: Iran, West, political relations, pacifism, peaceful behavior

Keywords

Iran
West
political relations
pacifism
peaceful relationship
peaceful thoughts
Subjects
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Spektrum Iran
Volume 37, Issue 2
December 2024
Pages 125-152

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