Why this book?
- A rigorous, documented comparison of Ayatollah Montazeri's theoretical evolution—from the theory of divine appointment to the theory of oversight—against Imam Khomeini's relatively stable position.
- A critique of the ethical philosophy underlying the theory of absolute guardianship of the jurist, viewed through the lens of constitutionalism and the neutral state.
- An exposition of the author's own ethical-philosophical foundation on the ontological and epistemic relation between religion and ethics, influenced by Abolghasem Fanaei and David Ross.
- A frank, uncompromising engagement with the views of two highly influential jurists, free of political considerations or deference.
- An analysis of the historical and legal roots behind the establishment of the principle of guardianship of the jurist in the constitution of the Islamic Republic.
About the book
Imam and the Deputy is the edited version of Mohammad Amir Ghodousi's doctoral dissertation in public law at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran. Its subject is the theory of governance held by two major jurists and prominent figures of contemporary Iranian political Islam: Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Montazeri. The book is organized into two main parts: the first addresses the question "who is the legitimate ruler?" from each jurist's perspective, and the second is devoted to the "aims and frameworks of governance" in their thought; each part in turn presents, across three chapters, first Khomeini's view, then Montazeri's view, and finally an ethical-philosophical analysis of the two.
The author shows that while Imam Khomeini held a relatively consistent position on the legitimate ruler throughout his life, Ayatollah Montazeri underwent at least three fundamental shifts in his theory: from the theory of the jurist's divine appointment, to the theory of the jurist's election, and eventually to a theory of jurists' oversight over legislation and the judiciary. The book reconstructs this evolution in detail, drawing on juristic writings, speeches, and historical documents.