Civilization state" or "nation state": a perspective on Iran's foreign policy

Abstract

The authors of the present paper argue that Iran's foreign policy behavior has to be analyzed, not through the prism of "nation state" but "civilization state" if one is seeking to get it right. Under the idea of "nation state", the structure of the international system determines the behavior of a state. Since the nature of the international system is defined by anarchy, the neorealism mindset prescribes power accumulation to ensure survival. And offensive neorealism defines "maximization of power" and "hegemony" as the end goal of states. But the purpose of Iran's foreign policy is not to seek hegemony. Iran has an ancient history, a rich culture and a distinct civilization. It behaves within the framework of a "civilization state", not a "nation state". Iran's influence goes beyond the border of a "nation state" because of its civilizational reach, its cultural heritage, and its historical links with modern nations in Western Asia, Caucasia and Central Asia. Contrary to the pattern of hegemony pursued by a "nation state", a "civilization state" focuses on cultural and human factors first. It is the flow of 'soft power'. That's a true way to understand Iran's foreign policy practices.