The Analysis of Self-Sufficiency Discourse in Imam Khomeini's Statements with Emphasis on Military and Defensive Aspects of Self-Sufficiency

Document Type : Research Article (Original Article)

Authors

1 PhD candidate of Social Communication Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran. Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

The main objective of present study is to analyze the discourse of Imam Khomeini's thoughts on the issue of self-sufficiency. In this study which the approach of Laclau and Mouffe have been used, “Belief in one's ability” was identified as central signifier and the main role of Imam's discourse in this field. Based on the conducted analysis, it is cleared that the Imam Khomeini's discourse on self-sufficiency has been articulated with high influence of economic sanctions and war which caused the signifier of this discourse offer more serious definitions, more detailed and more avant-garde about self-sufficiency, more than other approaches. This discourse for expressing signifiers refers to basic notions such as independence, freedom, resistance and deism in order to develop its meaningful hegemony. In addition, different social agencyes are present within dispute of Imam's discourse such as super powers especially western powers as its opposing discourse, Pahlavi II as alliance of western powers in inducing dependency. Eastern countries that have recently developed as pattern maker, weak countries as pattern recipient and Iranian nation as people possessing huge potential of self-sufficiency. Imam Khomeini's discourse in self-sufficiency field has a frequent emphases on self-sufficiency in military affairs. This emphasis is presesnt more in self-sufficiency in industrialization of military forces. “Belief in one's ability”, as central signifier of this discourse, is highly highlighted in self-sufficiency of military affaits as well and plays a determining role in military success or failure. In addition, one should note that in Imam Khomeini's discourse besides emphasizing on self-sufficiency in structuring and military and defensive industry, there is deeper emphasis in utilizing self-sufficiency as “non-military defense” which in fact specifies the main defensive application of self-sufficiency in Imam Khomeini's discourse. In the last section of present study, comparison of Imam Khomeini's self-sufliciency discourse with discourses of “resistive economy” and “negotiation and cooperation with global powers” is briefly done.

Keywords

Journal of Improvement Management
Volume 11, Issue 2 - Serial Number 36
September 2017
Pages 51-83

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History

  • Receive Date: 09 October 1396
  • Accept Date: 09 October 1396

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