1
Regional Studies, Faculty of Law and political sciences, University of Tehran
2
Regional Studies, Faculty of law and Political Science, University of Tehran.
Abstract
This article examines the role of cultural diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the image of Iran in Central Asian countries. According to constructivist theory, identity is a flexible and relational phenomenon. This means that regardless of the image that each actor has of himself, the image that other actors present of him plays a fundamental role in the identity and relationships of the actors. Accordingly, actors identity is “constructed” as a flexible phenomenon during interactions. It is constructed under the influence of domestic and international factors. As a result, all actors try to play a role in “building” their image in international system. In this regard, after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the formation of five Muslim countries in Central Asia, the Islamic Republic of Iran tried to establish a suitable position in the region. Iran’s identity-building efforts in Central Asia are based on the concept of shared cultural heritage. This article investigates the effectiveness of cultural diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Central Asia. The article examines the image of Iran in the history textbooks of Central Asian countries. Since governments have a monopoly on the administration of their educational system, textbooks can be considered invaluable sources for analyzing the image they intend to create of Iran for future generations. History textbooks of Central Asian countries portray Iran as a minor player. In fact, the historical influence of Iran in this region has been systematically weakened by the secular governments of the region, who have always been concerned about the political narrative of Islam. Considering the importance of textbooks in the construction of Iran’s image for the next generation of the region, there is no doubt that Iran’s policy-makers should reconsider their cultural diplomacy in the region to correct this image.
Majidi, M., & Shojaei, M. (2021). The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Cultural Diplomacy and the Constructed Image of Iran in Central Asia. Journal of Iran and Central Eurasia Studies, 4(1), 33-51.
MLA
Mohammad Reza Majidi; Mohammad Kazem Shojaei. "The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Cultural Diplomacy and the Constructed Image of Iran in Central Asia", Journal of Iran and Central Eurasia Studies, 4, 1, 2021, 33-51.
HARVARD
Majidi, M., Shojaei, M. (2021). 'The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Cultural Diplomacy and the Constructed Image of Iran in Central Asia', Journal of Iran and Central Eurasia Studies, 4(1), pp. 33-51.
VANCOUVER
Majidi, M., Shojaei, M. The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Cultural Diplomacy and the Constructed Image of Iran in Central Asia. Journal of Iran and Central Eurasia Studies, 2021; 4(1): 33-51.
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