[S. J. DEHGHANI FIROUZ ABADI†
Abstract: Noticeable research works have been conducted to theoretically
explain and analyze foreign policy of Islamic Republic of Iran. Different
theories, ranging from positivism to post-positivism, were applied as
conceptual frameworks to explore Iran’s foreign policy, but undoubtedly the
(classic or structural) realism could be considered as the dominant paradigm
that may best define the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy.
The present paper applies the Frankfurt school of critical theory as its
conceptual framework to analyze and explain Islamic Republic of Iran's
foreign policy. The main argument of the paper is that critical theory and its
core concept of “emancipation” -having more analytical capacity compared
to other concepts such as “national interest” or “freedom of action”- is
appropriate for analyzing the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy.

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