Patterns and Experiences of Modernity and Their Issues in Iran and Turkey

Modernity refers to those theories of life and social structure which began from 17th century onward in Europe and it gradually spread globally. Such theories assume incipient modernity with the advent of modern societies and recognize Western Europe as the birthplace of modernity. With comprehensive and driving thoughts, modernity has left numerous consequences on society, culture and politics both in the West and Islamic states. These countries did not confront modernity equally and it can be said that they are experiencing different patterns of modernity. Iran and Turkey are two nations sharing similar fits of experiences in terms of being introduced to modernity and the way it has been rooted in them notwithstanding that the results and consequences of modernity have not been of similar nature there
Modernization in both countries moved in a parallel paradigm albeit its commencement happened earlier in Turkey before Ata Turk by Ottoman’s amendments. Turkey got familiarized with modernity sooner than Iran mainly owing to its neighboring borders with Europe although its joining with Europe left direct effects on Iran’s destiny. Indeed, Turkey has been Iran’s path to Western civilization and modernity. As a result, waves of modernity entered Iran from Turkey with a little delay. Even though modernity and modernism were superficial in terms of technology and politics and official administration, Modernism and modernity brought forth trends of opposition among which one can refer to Islamism which denounces modernism for its opposition toward historical, religious background and traditions. According to different positions they adopt against modernism, Islamicists fall into several categories.