A Constructivist Study on National Identity in Iran

In this article the author has tired to survey the sociological aspects of the category of national identity in Iran. This survey has been based upon "constructivism" as a new theoretical trend not only in the sociological studies but also in political and international studies. For this purpose in the first part of article, the theoretical bases of constructivism and its point of view on the identity and collective and constitutive identity has been studied. Then 2 main indicators of Iranian national identity according to constructivism approach have been surveyed. The sense of common and national identity within different ethnic groups, is the first and religious trend is the second main indicators of national identity in Iran that shape the national identity of Iranians and their views on international relations and world affairs. In this article it is manifested that the ethnic and religious trends in Iran do not make necessarily radical approaches in Iranian foreign policy but create a special kind of national Identity in this exceptional state.