The crisis of religious legitimacy in Iran

The iranian Revolution was founded on a dual legitimacy, religious and poli tical, which was embodied by Imam Ruhollah Khomeini. But the Constitution, the rulings of khomeini, and the political process since his demise show th at the political aspect has come to dominate and define the role of religio n. This politicization, accompanied by an Iranization of supranational Shi 'ism, leads to a de facto secularization, and actually undermines the tradi tional basis of the strength and independence of the Shi'i clergy.