The Iranian press and modernization under the Qajars

The main aim of this thesis is to examine and evaluate the role of the press in the process of modernization of Iran during the Qajar period in 19th century, which contributed to the triumph of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution in the early 20th century. Examining this process in its historical context reveals the many stages through which Iran passed and which brought about a range of positive and negative consequences. The significance of the consequences of what took place in the nineteenth century can be seen in the modern history of Iran. This century saw the consolidation of Western hegemony and the beginning of the classical age of imperialism. Many non-Western countries found themselves coming under the control of one or another of the European powers. At the same time, a great deal of the social, political, and economic transformation and modernization within these countries was taking place under the system of European colonialism. The specific effects and consequences of this transformation differed from one country to another. While direct contact with Western powers was facilitating the process of change in some countries, in others, such as Iran, this process was facilitated by different types of contact. Iran was not subjected to any direct Western military colonialism in its history, but rather it was, in many respects, under the influences of Western ideological and political hegemony. During this period the Iranian press played a crucial role in the introduction of Western ideas which contributed to the political development and modernization of Iran. The Constitutional Revolution was indeed affected by these ideologies. Without the introduction of modern ideologies by the Iranian press, published inside or outside the country, the modern political structure of Iran could not have developed during the early 20th century. Through a rigorous and detailed analysis of three influential newspapers, published at different times within this period, this research, firstly, reveals that the foundation of the Iranian press in 19th century was implicitly part of the very process of change itself and, secondly, identifies and evaluates the various forms of contribution that these newspapers make to the process of modernization and political development of Iran.