The rise of the Pasdaran : assessing the domestic roles of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps / / Frederic Wehrey ... [et al.]

• Record Nr.: UNINA9910220103903321
• Pubbl/distr/stampa: Santa Monica, CA, : RAND National Defense Research Institute, 2009
• ISBN: 1-282-03343-3; 9786612033438; 0-8330-4680-2
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (xxi, 129 pages) : illustrations, map
• Collana: Rand Corporation monograph series
• Altri autori (Persone): WehreyFrederic M
• Disciplina: 355.3/510955
• Soggetti: Civil-military relations - Iran; Political culture - Iran; Iran Economic conditions 1997-; Iran Military policy; Iran Politics and government 1997-; Iran Social conditions 1997-
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Note generali: "Prepared for the Office of the Secretary of Defense."
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references (p. 117-129).
• Nota di contenuto: Cover; Preface; Contents; Figures; Summary; Acknowledgments; Abbreviations; CHAPTER ONE- Introduction; CHAPTER TWO- The IRGC in Context: Iran's Security and Political Landscape; The IRGC in Iran's Security Hierarchy; Iran's Factional Landscape; CHAPTER THREE- The IRGC's Diverse Domestic Roles: Origins and Evolution; Postrevolutionary Developments: Consolidating Internal Control; The Sacred Defense: The IRGC in the Iran-Iraq War; "Popularizing" the IRGC: The Development of the Basij Resistance Force; The Guardians of the Revolution: The IRGC's Domestic Intelligence and Security Roles; The Merger of Basij and IRGC: A Sign of the Regime's Growing Entrenchment CHAPTER FOUR- Militarizing Civil Society: The IRGC's Indoctrination, Training, and Media Activities; The IRGC's Ideological Activism: Origins and Development; The IRGC Presence in Iran's Education System; The "Ten-Million-Man Army": The IRGC's Role in Popular Paramilitary Training; The IRGC Media Apparatus: Formal and Informal Influences; Censorship of Independent Media Outlets; ; CHAPTER FIVE- Economic Expansion: The IRGC's Business Conglomerate and Public Works; Origins of the IRGC's Economic Activities; Foundations (Bonyads) Construction, Engineering, and Manufacturing Companies; Illicit and Black Market Activities; Public Works; The Dilemmas of Economic Expansion; CHAPTER SIX- The IRGC in Politics; The Origins of the IRGC as a Political Force; Ideological Factionalism Inside the IRGC; Possible Future Scenarios for the IRGC; CHAPTER SEVEN- Conclusion: Toward a More Strategic Understanding of the IRGC; The Utility of a Comparative Approach: Pakistan and China; APPENDIX A- Business Organizations Affiliated with the IRGC or Influenced by IRGC Personnel; APPENDIX B- Current and Former IRGC Personnel APPENDIX C- Evolution of the Islamic Republic and the IRGC; APPENDIX D- Provincial Map of Iran; APPENDIX E- Glossary of Persian Terms; Bibliography
• Sommario/riassunto: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has evolved well beyond its origins as an ideological guard for the regime. Today, in addition to wielding military force, its influence extends into virtually every corner of Iranian political life and society. Wehrey et al. assess the IRGC less as a traditional military entity and more as a domestic actor, emphasizing the variety of roles it plays in Iran's economy and political culture.