Misreading Michel Foucault? Rethinking His Engagement with the Iranian Revolution

This paper critically reinterprets Michel Foucault’s engagement with the Iranian Revolution, challenging Janet Afary’s claim that he naively romanticized political spirituality and overlooked the rise of authoritarianism. Instead, it argues that Foucault’s interest in Iran stemmed from his broader critique of Western modernity, particularly its disciplinary power and capitalist alienation, rather than an endorsement of theocracy. The revolution was not a monolithic Islamist project but a diverse coalition that included Marxists, secular nationalists, and liberals, a complexity Afary underemphasizes. Without subscribing to pro-Western narratives that equate democracy with liberalism or demonize the revolution as religious fanaticism, this paper situates Foucault’s reflections within their historical context. By exploring his writings as part of his larger intellectual trajectory—examining resistance, alternative political subjectivities, and the role of spirituality in revolutionary movements—the paper offers a more nuanced understanding of both Foucault’s intervention and the revolution itself.