On the Way to Modern Society: the Shia Clergy in Early 20th Century Iranian Politics

Social and political events of the early 20 century caused the emergence of new concepts for the development of Iran, the relevance of which over time not only did not diminish, but increased. The agents of new ideology were both intellectual reformers of the secular circle and the Shia clergy, who actively participated in politics. The article, within the framework of an interdisciplinary study, examines the interaction of innovation and tradition at the stages of socio-political transformations that are crucial for Iran and highlights the arsenal of propaganda tools that were used in this process. Archival documentary materials and poetry of journalistic nature, which are first introduced into scientific circulation, allow to hear the "real voice" of the direct participants and witnesses of the events of this period.