“The Political” and “Praxis” of Talibov Political Thought (1834 – 1911)

Mirza Abdulrahim Talibov Tabrizi (1250-1329 A.H) is one of the most prominent thinkers in the era of Iranian constitutional revolution. His political thoughts are described and explained by different approaches, including the historiography of Iranian contemporary thought. In this paper, Talibov’s thought is typologized and analyzed by applying “signifying approach” and “critical realism”. This could give a better understanding of Iranian contemporary political and social thought if two questions are answered, first the kind of conception of “the political”, and then the answer to the question of “What should be done?” in politics, economic, scientific, and cultural domains. The conclusion of this article displays new aspect of Talibov’s thought. At the same time, it shows the effect of gap between practice and theory in his deliberation. Voice reflection, authoritarian, modernization and enlightenment from above, have been heard in the thought of this thinker who can be called “liberty theorist” in the day after Iranian constitutional revolution.