Routledge - Revolutionary Guards in Iranian Politics Book

Understand the complex role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in modern Iran. This book explores why the IRGC is often called the kingmaker in Iranian politics and examines the debates regarding the potential militarization of the regime. Instead of viewing the IRGC as a military group that recently entered the political sphere, this study provides a different perspective. It argues that the institution has been highly politicized since its very beginning. By looking at the shifting relations between elites, this work offers a way to resolve the paradox of whether the IRGC is a military institution entering politics or a political institution with a military history. This text is an essential resource for students, researchers, and anyone interested in Middle Eastern history and the structural dynamics of the Iranian government. It provides a clear framework for understanding how the IRGC functions within the state.