Ervand Abrahamian

Ervand Abrahamian
Born	1940 Tehran, Iran
Occupation(s)	Historian, professor
Years active	1960s–present
Known for	History of modern Iran, Iranian political affairs

Ervand Abrahamian (; ; born 1940) is a historian of Iranian-American descent who specializes in the politics of the Middle East. He holds the title of Distinguished Professor of History at both Baruch College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. His scholarly work primarily examines political repression within the Islamic Republic of Iran as well as broader aspects of Iranian political affairs.

Early life

Born in 1940 in Tehran to Armenian heritage, Ervand Vahan Abrahamian completed his early education at the Mehr School in Tehran. From 1954 until 1959, he continued his studies at Rugby School in England. He graduated with a B.A. in modern history from St John's College, Oxford in 1963, concentrating on European historical subjects.

Following this, Abrahamian relocated to New York City, where he earned an M.A. from Columbia University in 1966, followed by another M.A. from Oxford in 1968. He completed his doctoral degree at Columbia in 1969 with a dissertation entitled "Social Bases of Iranian Politics: The Tudeh Party, 1941-53."

During the 1960s and 1970s, he was actively involved with the Confederation of Iranian Students — National Union (CISNU), opposing the regime of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. In 1976, he held the position of vice chairperson for the Committee for Artistic and Intellectual Freedom in Iran (CAIFI), which was connected to the Socialist Workers Party (SWP).

Career

Abrahamian has held teaching positions at institutions such as Princeton University, New York University, Columbia University, and Oxford University. Nevertheless, the majority of his academic tenure has been at the City University of New York (CUNY). Presently, he serves as a Distinguished Professor of History at Baruch College and the CUNY Graduate Center, with a focus on Middle Eastern history and Iranian political developments.

He is frequently sought for commentary on Iranian political affairs and international relations involving Iran, including discussions on Iran–United States relations. Known as an expert on Iranian opposition groups like the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK), Abrahamian has appeared on various media platforms such as BBC Persian, Charlie Rose, Worldfocus, Amanpour & Company, Democracy Now!, and Lou Dobbs Tonight.

Views

Abrahamian credits his comprehension of Iran largely to the events surrounding the oil crisis between 1951 and 1953, which culminated in the coup d'état. In his 1989 publication Radical Islam, he characterized himself as "a sceptic by intellectual training; a democratic socialist by political preference; and, regarding religious beliefs, an agnostic most days — on others, an atheist." In a 1983 interview with The New York Times, he described his stance as an "independent Marxist point of view." Scholar Christoph Marcinkowski observed that Abrahamian’s writings exhibit a leftist orientation, particularly evident in his socio-political and economic analyses. Drawing inspiration from Marxist historians such as Christopher Hill, Eric Hobsbawm, and E. P. Thompson—whom he regarded as a "towering figure" within Marxist historiography—he generally expresses sympathy toward the Tudeh Party. Werner referred to him as a "vivid chronicler" of Iran's leftist history who challenges interpretations that interpret twentieth-century Iran exclusively through an Islamicate perspective.

In 1986, Abrahamian criticized The New York Times obituary for Loy W. Henderson due to its failure to acknowledge Henderson’s significant involvement in the 1953 Iranian coup d'état. He described this omission as neglecting "probably his most important contribution," emphasizing Henderson’s unprecedented decision to permit covert operatives access to embassy grounds during the coup—a historically notable act.

Publications

Iran Between Two Revolutions

Abrahamian's most renowned and frequently referenced work is Iran Between Two Revolutions (1982), released by Princeton University Press. It chronicles Iran's historical trajectory from the Persian Constitutional Revolution of 1905–06 through to the Iranian Revolution of 1978–79.

Early evaluations commended its incorporation of previously unexplored Iranian documents alongside Western archival materials, recognizing it as a pivotal addition to the study of Iranian political history. Some critiques targeted its focus on the Communist movement and dependence on British archives. Sepehr Zabih pointed out a neo-Marxist ideological slant, whereas M. E. Yapp acknowledged its value despite certain flaws. Gene R. Garthwaite emphasized three principal contributions: its class-based analysis that redefined perspectives on Iran’s twentieth-century past; thorough examination of the Tudeh Party’s evolution; and an extensive narrative of the Pahlavi era (1921–78). Mazzaoui regarded it as the most balanced depiction of modern Persian social and political changes.

Radical Islam: The Iranian Mojahedin

In Radical Islam: The Iranian Mojahedin (1989), Abrahamian explores the foundation and historical development of the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK), with particular attention to the interplay between its ideological framework and social constituencies. The publication received acclaim for its comprehensive and impartial treatment of the MEK’s ideology and organizational structure. Eric Hooglund described it as an "essential work" presenting a scholarly analysis of the party’s beliefs. Mazzaoui praised it as a skillfully crafted academic study.

Khomeinism

Abrahamian’s 1993 volume, Khomeinism, offers an analysis of Iran’s inaugural Supreme Leader, Ruhollah Khomeini, through a series of five essays. He contended that Khomeinism is most accurately interpreted as a populist phenomenon rather than a purely religious revival, categorizing it within the context of Third World populism. Fred Halliday lauded it as an "excellent examination" of political ideology and Khomeini’s intellectual development. Although Baktiari found it articulate but "lacking thorough documentation," he still regarded it as a "thought-provoking work" deserving broad readership. Fakhreddin Azimi characterized it as "clear and stimulating."

Tortured Confessions

Abrahamian’s 1999 publication, Tortured Confessions: Prisons and Public Recantations in Modern Iran, investigates political oppression before and after the Islamic Revolution, culminating in the 1988 mass executions of Iranian political detainees. It provides a detailed account of interrogation methods and prison conditions across twentieth-century Iran. Critics widely praised it as a crucial contribution to understanding state-sponsored abuses. Mahdi identified it as a timely and important study.

A History of Modern Iran

Released in 2008, A History of Modern Iran presents an extensive account of the country's evolution. The book was highly praised for its academic rigor. John Limbert referred to it as a "readable, engaging study" covering Iran's past century, while Philip S. Khoury regarded it as "the most insightful and intelligent history of modern Iran available in English."

The Coup

Abrahamian’s 2013 publication, The Coup: 1953, the CIA, and the Roots of Modern U.S.-Iranian Relations, garnered a range of reviews from mixed to positive. David S. Painter acknowledged it as "a significant corrective to earlier works and an important addition to Iranian historical scholarship," whereas Mark Gasiorowski criticized the book for its absence of "major new disclosures or insights" and noted some misleading elements.

Recognition

Ervand Abrahamian is widely recognized as a leading authority on modern Iranian history, often hailed as the "foremost historian of modern Iran" and among the top Iranian historians of his era. His writings serve as vital references for academics and general audiences alike. Figures such as Mansour Farhang have emphasized the essential nature of his publications, while Fred Halliday and Eric Hooglund have commended his status as a foremost scholar on twentieth-century Iranian social history. Since the debut of Iran Between Two Revolutions in 1982, Abrahamian has established himself as one of the most influential historians specializing in modern Iran.

In 2010, he was inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Additionally, he holds memberships with both the Middle East Studies Association of North America and the American Historical Association.

Personal life

Abrahamian holds American citizenship through naturalization. Known informally as "Jed," he wed Helen Mary Harbison in 1967; she was a cellist associated with the Princeton Chamber Orchestra and Da Capo Chamber Players, and sister to composer John Harbison. Helen Harbison, daughter of historian E. Harris Harbison, passed away from cancer in 1981.

As of 2019, Abrahamian is married to Mary Nolan, professor emerita of history at New York University (NYU). He has two children named Emma and Rafi.

Bibliography

Academic articles

• "The Crowd in Iranian Politics 1905–1953." Past & Present, no. 41 (1968): 184–210.
• "The Crowd in the Persian Revolution." Iranian Studies 2, no. 4 (1969): 128–50.
• "Communism and Communalism in Iran: The Tudah and the Firqah-I Dimukrat." International Journal of Middle East Studies 1, no. 4 (1970): 291–316.
• "Kasravi: The Integrative Nationalist of Iran." Middle Eastern Studies 9, no. 3 (1973): 271–95.
• "Oriental Despotism: The Case of Qajar Iran." International Journal of Middle East Studies 5, no. 1 (1974): 3–31.
• "European Feudalism and Middle Eastern Despotisms." Science & Society 39, no. 2 (1975): 129–56.
• "The Political Crisis Intensifies." MERIP Reports, no. 71 (1978): 3–6.
• "Factionalism in Iran: Political Groups in the 14th Parliament (1944-46)." Middle Eastern Studies 14, no. 1 (1978): 22–55.
• "The Nonrevolutionary Peasantry of Modern Iran." Iranian Studies 11, no. 1/4 (1978): 259–304.
• "The Causes of the Constitutional Revolution in Iran." International Journal of Middle East Studies 10, no. 3 (1979): 381–414.
• "Iran in Revolution: The Opposition Forces." MERIP Reports, no. 75/76 (1979): 3–8.
• "Structural Causes of the Iranian Revolution." MERIP Reports, no. 87 (1980): 21–26.
• "The Guerrilla Movement in Iran, 1963–1977." MERIP Reports, no. 86 (1980): 3–15.
• "'Ali Shari'ati: Ideologue of the Iranian Revolution." MERIP Reports, no. 102 (1982): 24–28.
• "Ahmad Ashraf: Bazaar and Mosque in Iran's Revolution." MERIP Reports, no. 113 (1983): 16–18.
• "Khomeini: fundamentalist or populist? New Left Review, 1991
• "The 1953 Coup in Iran." Science & Society 65, no. 2 (2001):182-215.
• "The US Media, Huntington and September 11." Third World Quarterly24, no.3 (2003):529-44.
• "Why the Islamic Republic Has Survived." Middle East Report, no.250 (2009):10-16.
• "Voice of the Discontented." History Workshop Journal, no.76 (2013):256-58.

References

Notes

Citations

External links

• Profile of CUNY Distinguished Professor Ervand Abrahamian