"Iran is a key case in the social scientific literature on pre-capitalist societies and this book is informed by a detailed knowledge of its state and agrarian relations."
Paul Hirst, University of London

Iran is a key case in the social scientific literature on pre- capitalist societies and this book is informed by a detailed knowledge of its state and agrarian relations. Vali's critical assessment of attempts to characterize these institutions is thorough, accurate and fair. His book is of great intellectual interest."
Paul Hirst, Birkbeck College, University of London