“This is an important book. . . . Arjomand has certainly challenged much contemporary Western scholarship and made an important contribution to the continuing debate on the subject of religion and politics in [Shi’ite] Islam.”

American Historical Review

"This book deserves to be read by anyone concerned with the relationship between religion and state in Iran and Islam."

New Republic

"A remarkable achievement in providing a sustained, solid theoretical perspective on a massive movement in modern Islamic studies, while advancing the sociological study of Islam to an unsurpassed level. . . . Supported by an impressive and unprecedented analytical examination of theological and juridical texts."

Contemporary Sociology