Fatemeh Taghavi Ramezani; Mohammad Soltani Far; Hassan Darzban Rostami; Hamid reza Hossini dana
Abstract
Introduction The information revolution has significantly altered the nature of power by enhancing ...
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Introduction The information revolution has significantly altered the nature of power by enhancing the capacity of soft power and reshaping the very foundations of power structures. In the past, leaders and politicians were the primary figures to determine national interests in each nation, but in the digital age, the Internet and social networks have functioned to eliminate the mediatorship, leading to the highlighted role of the individual, the emergence of public opinions, and distribution of power from the government to people and other key actors. Today, power derived from public opinions is considered by political actors as a potent instrument for accomplishing political objectives.Iran’s Twenty-Year Vision Document, looking ahead to 2025, outlines a comprehensive objective of the Islamic Republic of Iran as to attain a preeminent economic and technological position in the region while preserving its Islamic and revolutionary identity, being a source of inspiration in the Islamic world, and engaging in a constructive interaction in international relations. To secure the top economic position in the region and an influential position in the international arena, it is imperative to leverage the capabilities of the country’s diplomatic apparatus. Diplomacy serves as the executive arm of foreign policy within the framework of a country’s foreign policy doctrine. To thrive in the evolving global landscape requires possessing modern tools since the shifting global landscape demands novel tools and approaches. In today’s world, powerful governments employ soft power instruments to influence and sway societies.Diplomacy stands as one of the most critical tools for advancing a country’s national power and achieving its objectives. Leading governments have embraced digital diplomacy as a means to bolster their national brand and effectively manage their public image, thus reaching vast audiences. In the contemporary age of communication, a formidable presence on the global stage necessitates the strategic implementation of digital diplomacy, positioning it at the forefront ofa country’s public diplomacy initiatives. In this respect, the present research aimed to recognize the role of digital diplomacy as a pivotalpower-building instrument, and to incorporate it into Iran’s strategic planning.This research intended to offer a full-brown description of digital diplomacy by delving into the power-building factors of modern media. The objective was to formulate effective strategies that enhance the digital diplomacy initiatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, thereby strengthening Iran’s influential presence in global politics and increasing Iran’s soft power as an important dimension of power. The research tried to address the pivotal question concerning the role modern media can assume within a country’s diplomatic apparatus. This would involve understanding how media can contribute to advancing national interests and bolstering a country’s influence and authority in the international arena. This research also sought to propose key indicators and strategies for advancing Iran’s digital diplomacy initiatives.Literature ReviewNumerous case studies and comparative analyses have explored digital diplomacy, underscoring the significant impact of social media in international diplomacy. However, despite the close interconnection of technology, diplomacy, and soft power, there is a lack of research that systematically situates these three domains within a theoretical framework and examines international relations theories by considering the role of modern media on the power-building capacity of diplomacy.In the article titled “Shaping Public Diplomacy through Social Media Networks in the 21st Century,” Costa (2017) posits that the Internet and information and communication technology have significantly influenced the definition and performance of public diplomacy. In “Foreign Policy in an Era of Digital Diplomacy,”Adesina (2017) draws the conclusion that digital diplomacy and internet-based activities play a vital role in effectively communicating a government’s foreign policy stances to both domestic and international audiences. In the article titled “Twitplomacy: Social Media as a New Platform for Development of Public Diplomacy,” Su (2015) argues that the impact of Internet users on the diplomatic agenda can complement political concepts. Considering the role of social media in the public diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ameli (2017) asserts that emerging social media technologies will play a central role in diplomacy by influencing social space.Ganjidoust (2008) focuses on the profound impact of information and communication technology in the field of diplomacy. The author contends that diplomacy has experienced greater influence from technological advancements compared to other domains, primarily because of its heavy reliance on the fundamental components of information and communication. According to Ganjidoust, the developments of the information age have brought about significant transformations in both the form and substance of diplomacy.Materials and MethodsThe Delphi technique was employed for identifying indicators, while the Dimetal technique was utilized for modeling. The study used Partial Least Squares technique to test the exploratory model and analyze the reciprocal influence between variables.ConclusionThe findings revealed that modern media plays a pivotal role as a complete mediator in the transfer of power to diplomacy. Through online communication, new media platforms foster interaction and networking among users. They employ activism, imagery, and psychological operations to craft their desired narrative, thus reinforce user engagement and convergence through orienting and streamlining, Ultimately, by fostering a sense of belonging, they establish identity and create opportunities within the system of diplomacy.To succeed in public diplomacy, particularly in the realm of digital diplomacy, requires a comprehensive strategy encompassing strategic goals, strategic priorities, and executive guidelines to attain the strategic goals. Concerning the Islamic Republic of Iran, the strategic goals are as follows: Making a powerful image of Iran, national branding of Iranian–Islamic identity, informing people about the policies, beliefs, and values of Iranians, and introducing opportunities and strengths. The strategic priorities of the digital diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran include Interacting with citizens and foreign populations to foster and enhance mutual relations, providing transparent information and swift responses to counter misinformation, combating online hooliganism, presenting leadership guidelines, and engaging in social listening and social monitoring. Without a thorough analysis and practical solutions to this question, it is not possible to address the needs of audience satisfactorily. The assessment of attitudes, questions, and challenges is the most critical aspect which guides the subsequent actions. Concerning interaction, it is recommended to interact with influencers, as well as political, religious, cultural, and national figures, to clarify ambiguities and foster constructive dialogues through the dissemination of pre-prepared images, messages, and video clips. Moreover, regular evaluation of the outcomes on the basis of a theory of structures and processes can help ensure the effectiveness of digital diplomacy and coordination.
Political Science
Ali TadayyonRad; Sara Najafpour
Abstract
Introduction Having a clear understanding of the features, elements, and components of storytelling from a political perspective can enhance its effectiveness in conveying complex concepts in the field of political science. Additionally, it can provide an invaluable tool for analyzing and evaluating ...
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Introduction Having a clear understanding of the features, elements, and components of storytelling from a political perspective can enhance its effectiveness in conveying complex concepts in the field of political science. Additionally, it can provide an invaluable tool for analyzing and evaluating ideas presented in a narrative format. This research aimed to examine the status and concept of storytelling, along with its key functions and elements, in the political sphere as presented in the works of Hannah Arendt. The study tried to answer the following research questions: What is the status, function, and concept of storytelling in Arendt’s ideas, and what are its essential elements and components? To answer the questions, the research conducted a descriptive–analytical examination of Arendt’s works and ideas.Literature ReviewNumerous studies have explored the relationship between storytelling and politics from various perspectives, with a significant number dedicated to political analysis of different stories and narratives. However, few studies have focused on the status, function, and components of storytelling in politics from a political perspective. Despite the valuable research already conducted in this area, a review of the literature reveals that further investigation is needed to understand the unique patterns and methods for analyzing and interpreting political stories and understanding the status of stories in politics, their components, and the relationship between storytelling and politics. This research represents a small step towards filling this gap in the literature.MethodologyFollowing a qualitative approach, the present research adopted a phenomenological method developed by Hannah Arendt. Considered as a model to understand politics, Arendt’s phenomenological perspective emphasizes the (im)possibility of understanding unprecedented and unique events and occurrences; the critique of essentialism, scientism, and historicism; and the circular, practical, situated, and universal nature of phenomena (Tadayyon-Rad et al., 2015).This method diverges from the behavioral, positivist, and scientific paradigms employed in humanities and social sciences, which aim to explain phenomena by identifying their causes, motives, and rules. Instead, the phenomenological framework for understanding political experiences and phenomena entails two dimensions: a critical, disruptive, and eliminative dimension that involves deconstructing prejudices and metaphysical fallacies, and an affirmative and constructive dimension that involves the inclusion of various methods. The rejection of metaphysical fallacies and reductionist and deterministic methods of modern science is due to their disregard for the reality of human existence and life on earth by highlighting theories of parallel universe, solipsism, etc. Concerning the positive and affirmative dimension of the model, specific methods for understanding the world and politics are employed, including storytelling, imagination of the researcher as a situated and neutral observer, differentiation, the use of paradoxes and their analysis to gain understanding, and the use of taste and imagination in comprehension.Within this framework, this article first examined Hannah Arendt’s criticisms of modern models and methods of understanding and expression. This helps to know what should not be there in gaining a clearer understanding of the story as a viable alternative that should be there. The concept of action, as a fundamental concept in Arendt’s intellectual system, was introduced and discussed. Then the study proceeded to analyze storytelling and its components and functions in Arendt’s ideas by examining her important and relevant works.ConclusionThere is a mutual relationship between the story and politics. Politicians and political actors often use stories to justify their actions, persuade their followers or audiences, and steer trends and actors in a desired direction through compelling narratives. Stories also help to explain causal relationships, foster greater understanding among people, and play a significant role in building collective identity and shaping collective memory among humans. For Arendt, the relationship between fiction and politics has specific components and functions that are closely tied to the foundations of her political philosophy, including the concept of action. Arendt viewed action as intersubjective, creative, initiatory, global, linguistic, and conversational, which involves public presence, initiative, dialogue, speech, reasoning, persuasion, determination in the path of ideals, and protest against the wrong. According to Arendt, stories have the capacity to express, manifest, and convey all the possibilities of action, and as such, they possess unique functions and components.This study demonstrated that stories—compared to any analysis, philosophy, or history—offer a richer platform for the expression, emergence, depiction, and comprehension of actions, events, and political and social phenomena. Stories reveal the unique identities and characteristics of heroes, actors, and phenomena without reducing them to a linear chain of causal relationships or integrating theories. They offer a narrative of the intersubjective world and human plurality, while also serving as a means of achieving immortality. As stated by Arendt, courage and the mark of heroism belong to the speech and activism of the protagonist.
Seyyed MohhamdVahab Nazaryan; Abolfazl Delavari
Abstract
After the Fall of shah’s regime, the very first measurement of the political leaders under the new political regime was realization of the ideological norms in the daily life. The Success of this shift depended on people’s reactions; In other words, it needed legitimacy. Accordingly, the ...
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After the Fall of shah’s regime, the very first measurement of the political leaders under the new political regime was realization of the ideological norms in the daily life. The Success of this shift depended on people’s reactions; In other words, it needed legitimacy. Accordingly, the present article aimed to investigate about this question: what influence have had the transformations of everyday life on the paradigm of Political legitimacy during the first two decades of the Revolution? For answering the mentioned question, we used the mix qualitative method that did not need any hypothesis. The finding reveled that daily life of the people came through three levels: pluralism, unification, and confrontation between ordinary phenomena and official politics. That means, three situations could be observed: the diversity of the active forces in the revolutionary political government, the unity of the political forces and ideological adversary, and ultimately the endeavor of the marginalized forces to return to the political activity. In conclusion, daily life which was a dynamic to the victory of the revolution have altered to a place for formation of the fundamental conflicts between the current political order and the people.
Gholamreza Khajehsarvy; Abbas Sohrab Zadeh
Abstract
Power as the most fundamental parameter on the politics has caught the attention of the public, socio-political forces, and the ruling bodies. The possession of power is the main objective of any political endeavor and the manner of acquiring and employing it establishes the bulk of the debates which ...
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Power as the most fundamental parameter on the politics has caught the attention of the public, socio-political forces, and the ruling bodies. The possession of power is the main objective of any political endeavor and the manner of acquiring and employing it establishes the bulk of the debates which are relevant to this concept. The main criterion for testing the correct use or abuse of power is certainly the law. Whenever a ruler utilizes the power on the basis of his or her own taste and opinion, irrespective of the established codes and legal institutions, this power is called the personalized power. This text is going to designate how and through which methods the media hinder personalization of depersonalization of power.
Asghar Eftekhari
Volume 3, Issue 8 , December 2014, , Pages 83-99
Abstract
Liberty and Security :An Interactive Model Asghar Eftekhari* (Received: 2014/April/7 – Accept: 2014/Octobr/27) Abstract Virtues have the main rule in managing Social and Political Life; hence, the following question is important: If there be an opposition between ...
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Liberty and Security :An Interactive Model Asghar Eftekhari* (Received: 2014/April/7 – Accept: 2014/Octobr/27) Abstract Virtues have the main rule in managing Social and Political Life; hence, the following question is important: If there be an opposition between different Virtues, which one should – or could – be preferred? In this paper, author tries to analyze the relationship between Liberty and Security, and suggest two models in this regard. This two models developed by Islamic- Iranian discourse can be labeled Negative and positive. Security is the main virtue in Negative Model but Liberty is the major one, in the Positive Model. Therefore, author has designed a complex model which is biased on two different principles: Power (in negative model) and Satisfaction (in positive model). * Associate Professor of Political Science at Imam Sadiq University. (Eftekhariasg@gmail.com)
