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mokhles F. Narrative Bias in Urban Historiography
A Critique of the Book the Story of Tehran. مکتب نقدنظر 2026; 2 (6) : 3
URL: http://jcr-sj.com/article-1-59-en.html
URL: http://jcr-sj.com/article-1-59-en.html
Nazar research center
Abstract: (19 Views)
The book The Story of Tehran represents an attempt to present a narrative of the history and identity of Tehran, predicated upon two principal axes: the “natural criterion” and the “social criterion.” In this narrative, the formation and continuity of Tehran’s urban life are elucidated, on the one hand, by referencing the region’s ancient geological background and, on the other hand, by emphasizing the socio-cultural diversity of the city’s population. The fundamental question arises: has such an approach succeeded in providing a coherent, evidence-based depiction of Tehran’s urban history, or has it resulted in conceptual and methodological oversimplifications in its attempt to explicate the city?
This article aims to critically examine the theoretical foundations and the evidence employed in the narrative of The Story of Tehran. In this regard, the book’s two pivotal criteria—natural and social—are subjected to critical analysis. The findings of this critique indicate that the book’s natural narrative, by emphasizing the geological antiquity of the region, leads to a form of “naturalization” of urban history. Conversely, its social narrative, through the oversimplification of social structures and the circumvention of economic and institutional factors alongside urban policies, offers a reductionist explanation of Tehran’s social inequalities and transformations. Consequently, while both criteria utilized in the book are compelling at the level of storytelling, they confront significant conceptual limitations within the realm of scientific analysis. By critically evaluating the claims posited in the book, this article underscores the necessity of employing interdisciplinary approaches and evidence-based historical and social analyses, maintaining a rigorous scientific perspective in the study of Tehran’s urban history.
This article aims to critically examine the theoretical foundations and the evidence employed in the narrative of The Story of Tehran. In this regard, the book’s two pivotal criteria—natural and social—are subjected to critical analysis. The findings of this critique indicate that the book’s natural narrative, by emphasizing the geological antiquity of the region, leads to a form of “naturalization” of urban history. Conversely, its social narrative, through the oversimplification of social structures and the circumvention of economic and institutional factors alongside urban policies, offers a reductionist explanation of Tehran’s social inequalities and transformations. Consequently, while both criteria utilized in the book are compelling at the level of storytelling, they confront significant conceptual limitations within the realm of scientific analysis. By critically evaluating the claims posited in the book, this article underscores the necessity of employing interdisciplinary approaches and evidence-based historical and social analyses, maintaining a rigorous scientific perspective in the study of Tehran’s urban history.
Article number: 3
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/04/8 | Accepted: 2026/04/14 | Published: 2026/04/30
Received: 2026/04/8 | Accepted: 2026/04/14 | Published: 2026/04/30
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