A Comparative Study of Political Perspectives in the Ardavirafnameh and the Divine Comedy
Subject Areas : History of Political Thought in Iranروح الله اسلامی 1 , Pegah Latifi 2
1 -
2 - Master of Political Science, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
Keywords: Ardavirafnameh, Divine Comedy, politics, political thought, governance,
Abstract :
This article examines the political perspectives of two prominent works, Ardavirafnameh, a Zoroastrian text, and Dante’s Divine Comedy, through the lens of four fundamental components: who should govern the purpose of governance, the nature of governance, and the role of the people. Ardavirafnameh emphasizes the personal qualities of rulers, including piety, justice, and adherence to religious principles, focusing on the individual responsibility and the moral and spiritual influence of leaders on society. In contrast, Dante’s Divine Comedy engages directly with social and political critique, highlighting the necessity of just governance, the rejection of corruption, and the active role of the people in holding rulers accountable. Both texts underscore the importance of justice and ethics in governance, yet the Divine Comedy distinctly advocates for a more dynamic role for the populace in reforming governance. Overall, this study reveals that, despite cultural and historical differences, the two works present-shared principles for ideal governance, emphasizing justice, morality, and accountability.
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