Foucault’s writings illuminate early Iranian revolution
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Michel Foucault examined the events leading to the overthrow of the shah of Iran between September 1978 and February 1979, and four editors recently published his writings on the subject in a new book.
The volume includes Foucault’s reports, articles responding to debates, and notes from his research. Editors hope this collection will offer a new understanding of his analyses, which some believe have been misinterpreted.
Foucault focused on the uprising itself, and he did not address the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran or its institutions after the shah’s removal. He intentionally limited his analysis to the “strategy of the uprising” and dismissed criticism concerning its potential outcomes. Foucault viewed the Iranian revolution as a test of his own ideas, specifically a challenge to traditional understandings of revolution and its connection to state-building.
The book draws on previously unreleased archival material to show the development of his thinking.
