IRAN'S SOFT POWER DURING THE ERA OF KHATAMI'S PRESIDENCY (1997-2005)

This study analyzes the impacts of soft dimension of power on national authority of Iran during the period of Khatami's presidency (1997-2005). This research indicates development occurred in the concept of power and its element by utilizing descriptive method, and examines the relations between soft policies of Khatami's government and increase in national power of Iran by employing analytic method. Findings of this article show that elements of power can not be merely excluded to hard power in the era of globalization and information explosion. In addition to tangible and concrete elements of power in political, economic and security spheres, soft and cultural dimension of power should not be ignored. Efforts made by khatami to strengthen civil society and constitutionalism in the realm of domestic policy, as well as his serious attempt to implement detent policy and dialogue among civilizations, as an alternative against hegemonic paradigm of conflict among civilizations, led to increase in Iran's soft power. Adding to Iran's status and prestige in the international system, changes in misapprehension image of Iranian nation and government, Iran's improved relations with countries of the region, and the European Union, as well as attracting further foreign investment should also be considered as positive consequences of Iran's higher soft power in this period.