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Abstract
There is a common tendency to observe a process of homogenisation when the current international structure is analysed. However, the globalisation process embraces heterogeneities and contradictions stemming from the integration of different states into a single global structure. This article explores the role and motivations of domestic social classes in creating variations in the form of integration of their states into the global whole. It takes one of the odd cases at the centre of inquiry and particularly concentrates on the emergence of alternative forms to the neoliberal globalisation in the process of Iran’s integration into the global capitalism. The accumulation strategies adopted by the dominant class factions in Iran are investigated in order to reveal their dialectical relationship with the international capitalist structure. Their role in the international political economy of Iran demonstrates how social agents through their strategic activities create variations in the forms of integration into the global capitalism. The article compares the Iranian case to the varieties of integration of lately capitalised but not peripherised BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) states. This aims to reveal that whilst these countries have truly integrated into the global capitalist system, the internationalisation of their states contradicts the accumulation strategies of their dominant classes.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes
1 See Hirst, Thompson, and Bromley, Globalisation in Question, 26.
2 See Rotberg, “Failed States, Collapsed States”; Gros, “Towards a Taxonomy of Failed States”; Simpson, Great Powers and Outlaw States; and Lake, “Confronting Backlash States.”
3 Streeck, “E Pluribus Unum?”
4 See Hall and Soskice, Varieties of Capitalism.
5 Van der Pijl, Transnational Classes and International Relations, 86.
6 See Jessop, “Rethinking the Diversity and Varieties of Capitalism”; and Peck and Theodore, “Variegated Capitalism.”
7 Özdemir, Guc, Buyruk, Duzen, 269.
8 Petras and Veltmeyer, “Globalisation Unmasked,” 49.
9 Oğuz, “Rethinking Globalisation as Internationalisation,” 337.
10 Hardt and Negri, Empire.
11 Robinson, Theory of Global Capitalism.
12 Bryan, “Internationalisation of Capital and Marxian Value Theory,” 422.
13 Poulantzas, Classes in Contemporary Capitalism, 50.
14 Berberoglu, Globalisation of Capital and Nation State, 2.
15 O’Brien and Williams, Global Political Economy, 156.
16 Bryan, Chase across the Globe, 15.
17 O’Brien and Williams, Global Political Economy, 184.
18 See Poulantzas, Classes in Contemporary Capitalism; Murray, “Internationalisation of Capital and the Nation State”; Cox, Production, Power and World Order; Robinson, “Pitfalls of Realist Analysis”; and Panitch and Gindin, Global Capitalism and American Empire.
19 Murray, “Internationalisation of Capital and the Nation State,” 96.
20 Jessop, State Theory, 267.
21 Cox, Production, Power, and World Order, 219.
22 Özdemir, Kolektif Emperyalizm, 68.
23 Petras and Veltmeyer, “Globalisation Unmasked,” 58.
24 Jessop, State Theory, 262–9.
25 Glassman, “State Power beyond the Territorial Trap,” 687; and Robinson, Transnational Conflicts, 55.
26 Hunter, Iran after Khomeini, 72.
27 Majloo, “Three Placement Modes of the Economy.”
28 Karshenas and Pesaran, “Economic Reform and the Reconstruction,” 97.
29 Ehteshami, After Khomeini: The Iranian Second Republic, 100–1.
30 Klebnikov, “Millionaire Mullahs.”
31 Khajehpour, “Domestic Political Reforms.”
32 Rakel, Power, Islam, and Political Elite, 47.
33 Faucon, Meichtry, and Fitch, “Iran’s Government and Revolutionary Guards.”
34 Karbassian, “Islamic Revolution and the Management,” 621.
35 Saeidi, “Accountability of Para-Governmental Organisations,” 494.
36 Kamrava and Hassan-Yari, “Suspended Equilibrium in Iran’s Political System,” 496.
37 Daryani and Nakha, “Changing Formations of the Power Bloc,” 107.
38 Wehrey et al., Rise of the Pasdaran, 70–1.
39 K. Harris, “Rise of the Subcontractor State,” 64.
40 Wehrey et al., Rise of the Pasdaran, 58.
41 Klebnikov, “Millionaire Mullahs.”
42 Patton, “Bonyads: Iran’s Greatest Strength.”
43 Faucon, Meichtry, and Fitch, “Iran’s Government and Revolutionary Guards.”
44 Patton, “Bonyads: Iran’s Greatest Strength.”
45 K. Harris, "A Martyrs’ Welfare State,” 64.
46 K. Harris, “Politics of Welfare,” 135.
47 Saeidi, “Accountability of Para-Governmental Organisations,” 486.
48 Hanieh, Capitalism and Class in the Gulf Arab States.
49 Keshavarzian, Bazaar and State in Iran, 172.
50 Sinkaya, Revolutionary Guards, 187.
51 US Energy Information Administration, “Iran Energy and Data Analysis.”
52 See Dubowitz and Grossman, Iran’s Energy Partners, 3.
53 Hassani, “Iran Oil Production,” 412.
54 Bizaer, “Will Total Deal Pave Way.”
55 Dubowitz and Grossman, Iran’s Chinese Energy Partners, 3.
56 Sepahvand, “Iran, China in Talks.”
57 Becker, BRICs and Emerging Economies, 40–1.
58 Vasileva, “Continuity and Change in Russian Capitalism,” 100–22.
59 Stephen, “Rising Powers, Global Capitalism,” 925.
60 Van der Pijl, Global Rivalries from the Cold War to Iraq, 6.
61 Ibid., 926.
62 Becker, BRICs and Emerging Economies, 20.
63 Stephen, “Rising Powers, Global Capitalism,” 926.
64 Ibid., 925.
65 Robinson, “Transnational State and the BRICS,” 3.
66 J. Harris, “Statist Globalization in China,” 13.
67 Robinson, “Transnational State and the BRICS,” 5.
68 Bhaskar, Posibility of Naturalism, 51.
69 Jessop, State Theory, 262–9.
70 Joseph, “Combining Hegemony and Governmentality,” 4.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Engin Sune
Dr Engin Sune is a researcher in the International Relations Department at Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, where he teaches theories of globalisation, international relations theory, politics of the Middle East and nationalism. He was awarded a PhD from the International Relations Department of the Middle East Technical University, Ankara, for his dissertation on the integration of Iran into the global economy. He was a visiting fellow at Harvard University’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies, where he conducted research on the political economy of Iran, from September 2016 to July 2017. He is one of the co-authors of Political Economy of Turkish Foreign Policy (Ankara, Imge Publishing, 2015) and he has written book chapters on the state structure of Iran, transformation of Libya, international law and imperialism. He has published articles on the rentier state, secularism, Iran and non-Western international relations theories.