Republicanism in Iran: From Its Origins to the End of Sardar Sepah’s (Reza Shah’s) Republican Movement

This article examines the emergence and development of republicanism in Iran from its early conceptual roots to the termination of Sardar Sepah’s (Reza Shah’s) republican initiative in the late Qajar and early Pahlavi periods. It traces the historical trajectory of republican thought in Iran, highlighting its political, cultural, and intellectual foundations, and analyzes the interplay between domestic actors and international influences—particularly the role of Western republican ideals. Employing a historical-analytical methodology, the study situates the republican movement within the broader context of Iran’s transition from the Qajar monarchy to the Pahlavi state. The findings suggest that while republicanism in Iran emerged as part of a global wave of constitutional and anti-monarchical movements, its trajectory was shaped by Iran’s unique political culture, the enduring notion of divine kingship (farr-e izadi), and the ambitions of Sardar Sepah himself. The article concludes that the republican experiment in Iran, though short-lived, had a lasting impact on the discourse of governance and legitimacy in the country.

کلیدواژه ها:

Republicanism ، Democracy ، Farr-e Izadi ، Sardar Sepah ، Qajar Era ، Pahlavi Transition