Abstract
This study examines the role of culture and media in the reconstruction of political discourses in the Middle East, with a particular focus on the geopolitics of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The central question of the research is how regional powers—especially Iran—utilize cultural and media tools to represent themselves and undermine rival discourses. The core inquiry is: how do culture and media contribute to the construction, reinforcement, or transformation of political discourses in the Middle East, and how has Iran employed these capacities to enhance its regional position? The hypothesis of the study is that Iran, through cultural-identity components and strategic use of aligned media outlets, has reproduced a specific discourse centered on resistance, independence, and justice—functioning as a means of soft power projection in the region. Adopting an interpretive approach, this qualitative research employs thematic discourse analysis to examine the content of 30 selected media outlets (15 aligned with Iran and 15 opposing or neutral), including networks such as Press TV, Al-Alam, Al-Arabiya, Al-Jazeera, BBC, and Sky News, over the period 2011 to 2025. The findings indicate that media outlets, beyond merely reflecting political realities, play an active role in producing and stabilizing identity-based narratives. The geopolitical competition between Iran and its regional rivals is largely framed within the field of cultural and media-based narrative construction.
Keywords: Culture, Media, Political Discourse, Cultural Geopolitics, Iran, Discourse Analysis, Middle East
Introduction
The institution of religious authority (marja‘iyyah) has long held a central place in Islamic theological, legal, and social life—particularly within the Shi'a tradition. In this tradition, religious authority extends beyond the issuance of legal rulings to encompass spiritual guidance, interpretation of divine law, and the preservation of doctrinal integrity. However, the processes of globalization—characterized by rapid technological development, expanded communication networks, epistemic pluralism, and the erosion of traditional knowledge hierarchies—have posed significant challenges to this long-standing institution. In contemporary Islamic societies, particularly those navigating both traditional religious structures and modern global pressures, the concept and function of religious authority are undergoing fundamental transformation. The present study investigates the philosophical and theological challenges confronting religious authority in the context of globalization, with a special focus on Shi’a Islamic thought. It asks: how has globalization influenced the legitimacy, role, and perceived authority of traditional fuqaha? Furthermore, to what extent are these changes symptomatic of a broader theological shift, rather than merely sociological developments?
 
Methods and Materials
This research adopts a qualitative approach, specifically employing content analysis of a purposive sample of academic texts. The methodology is interpretive, grounded in thematic analysis of both primary and secondary literature on Islamic theology, religious authority, philosophy of religion, and the sociocultural effects of globalization. The statistical population includes all relevant scholarly works addressing the relationship between religious legitimacy and contemporary global dynamics. The sample consists of 18 books and peer-reviewed articles—a mixture of Persian and English sources—selected for their direct relevance to the research question and their academic credibility. These sources include works by Takim (2007), Mavani (2013), Mohiuddin (2023), Whyte (2024), and Kadivar (2003), as well as Persian scholars such as Firoozi, Vaezi, and Ma‘aref. Each text was analyzed for content relating to:
 
1.      The theological foundations of marja‘iyyah in Shi'a thought
2.      Epistemological transformations under globalization
3.      Emergent challenges to traditional religious authority
4.      The adaptation (or resistance) of religious actors to global change
5.       
Themes were identified through iterative reading, and key conceptual tensions—between tradition and modernity, hierarchy and plurality, authority and autonomy—were mapped across the sources.
 
Discussion &Results
The research findings indicate that globalization has led to both disruption and redefinition of religious authority in Islamic contexts. Several key dynamics were identified:
-Epistemological Displacement: The study finds that traditional structures of religious authority are increasingly challenged by a new epistemic environment in which knowledge is democratized, decentralized, and subject to public contestation. Religious scholars are no longer the sole interpreters of divine texts; rather, laypeople increasingly participate in online theological debates, often guided by algorithmic amplification rather than scholarly lineage (Bunt, 2018; Ali, 2010).
-The Emergence of Alternative Authorities: Figures with no formal training in classical Islamic sciences—social media influencers, activist imams, or hybrid intellectuals—are gaining religious credibility among younger audiences. This undermines the exclusivity of traditional maraji‘ and fosters competition in defining religious norms (Zaid et al., 2022; Mohiuddin, 2023).
-Generational Shifts in Religious Expectation: Younger Muslims, particularly those raised in urban and globalized contexts, are less inclined to accept authority without dialogical engagement and transparency. The study highlights a growing demand for reasoned, ethical, and accessible theological discourse, challenging traditional modes of jurisprudential instruction and taqlid (Whyte, 2024; Firoozi, 2011).
-Dual Responses from Traditional Authority: Some maraji‘ have embraced technological tools, online platforms, and accessible language to maintain relevance and assert their authority in a global context. Others have resisted adaptation, fearing erosion of scholarly integrity and the collapse of doctrinal hierarchy (Vaezi, 2004; Soroush Mahallati, 2009).
-Theological Reinterpretation of Legitimacy: The concept of legitimacy itself—rooted in Quranic verses, the Imamate, and rational foundations—has undergone reassessment. The study argues that theological discourse is no longer confined to classical kalam texts but now includes broader philosophical and sociopolitical questions related to representation, moral autonomy, and religious authenticity.
Overall, the research shows that while globalization presents undeniable challenges to religious authority, it also opens pathways for the revitalization of theological thought. By engaging critically with global discourses, Islamic scholars have the opportunity to articulate a renewed vision of marja‘iyyah that balances fidelity to tradition with responsiveness to contemporary realities.
 
Conclusion
This study concludes that religious authority in Shi’a Islam is currently at a philosophical and theological crossroads. Globalization has created an epistemic and institutional rupture that forces traditional religious institutions to reassess both their mode of operation and their foundational legitimacy. Far from signaling a collapse of authority, this moment offers an opportunity for creative theological engagement. If Islamic religious thought is to remain a living and effective guide for Muslim societies, its institutions must not only preserve doctrinal integrity but also adopt flexible, inclusive, and dialogical approaches to authority. The ongoing challenge will be to formulate a concept of marja‘iyyah that withstands the fragmentation of modern epistemologies while offering meaningful spiritual and ethical leadership in an interconnected world.