Ethnic Challenges in Iran: A Case Study of Ardabil

Abstract

One of the problems of an international community like Iran is the ethnic group and the challenges that in many cases have jeopardized many countries and led to the collapse of political systems. The aim of the present study is to find the reasons and causes for these challenges and ethnic crises in Iran with the emphasis on ethnic studies in Ardabil as a case study. This study attempts to provide the appropriate guidelines for the management of ethnic diversity and appropriate policy to respect the characteristics, values, and cultures of the ethnic groups and thus creating solidarity and enhancing national integrity. This paper focuses on the current crises, especially the crises that occurred due to the insults of a state newspaper against Turkish citizens of Azerbaijan in 2005. So, the main question of this study addresses the causes of this challenge in Ardabil province and whether these factors were constant or have changed as the time is passed.The findings of this study show that the ethnic, social, and other kinds of insults against ethnic groups had a significant role in creating ethnic challenges in the destruction of national solidarity for 99 %, the ethnic discrimination and injustice against ethnic groups for 97%, the role of multiculturalism and respect for ethnic groups’ cultures in national solidarity for 89%, and finally discrimination in government economic investment in Ardabil comparing with central provinces of the country for 85%.The results obtained in this study indicate that the role of internal factors comparing with the external counterparts on ethnic crisis in Ardabil province is very notable.