essay

The changing status and composition of an Iranian provincial elite

modern iran : the dialectics of continuity and changeAlbany • Published In 1981 • Pages: 269-288, 432-434

By: Good, Mary-Jo DelVecchio.

Abstract
This document examines the meaning and structure of elite status in provincial Iran and discusses the changes in the status of provincial elites that occurred during the period of 1920-1979 while the Pahlavis were in power. Social histories of two groups of traditional elite from Maragheh, a SHAHRESTAN (subprovince) capital in East Azerbaijan, are presented to illustrate these changes. The first group concerns the Moqaddam notables, wo were the town's ruling and military elite for over a century, from around 1800 to 1925, while the second group deals with several of the major families of landed gentry, the ARBABS, who resided in Maragheh. Prior to the implementation of land reform in the province, the major landed families were important members of the town's elite. Since land reform in 1963, their status has been less secure, although some were still considered members of the older, established elite by the townspeople in the 1970s (pp. 269-270).
Subjects
Sociocultural trends
Status, role, and prestige
Social relationships and groups
Towns
Provinces
culture
Iran
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Middle East
Sub Region
Middle East
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Sociologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 2005
Field Date
1972-1974
Coverage Date
1800-1979
Coverage Place
Town of Maragheh, Iran
Notes
Mary-Jo Delvecchio Good
Includes bibliographical references
LCCN
80019463
LCSH
Iranians