Sociological analysis of the interactional patterns of clerics with political sovereignty in the Safavid Era

Abstract

Current historical research is going to analyze the interaction between the clerics and political governance in the safavid period. The method of research is historical sociology and includes the historical period of establishment until the fall of the Safavids (1501-1722 A.D.). Base on Tiley's theoritical framework, the interactions of the two groups of clerics within and outside the government with the rulers, depending on the weakness and power of the structure of government, included four forms of membership, influence, resignation, and overt opposition. According to the findings, the religious politics of the Safavid era and the way the clergy interacted with the political system can be divided into five periods: initial establishment, establishment, flourishing, weakening and declining. According to Beetham and Foucault's theory, in each period the way the clericsinteracted with political rule was more influenced by the rulers' need for legitimacy and financial needs of the clerics. On the one hand, using the power to legitimize by clerics, has peaked in times of crisis and political uncertainty, biside, With the weakening of the shah's political power, the independence of the clerics has increased dramatically.