Features of the Modernization of Islamic States in the Twentieth Century

The study examines modernization processes in Islamic states during the twentieth century under conditions of external pressure, institutional imbalance, and changing religious roles. The aim is to identify patterns of catch-up modernization through a comparative analysis of Türkiye, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. The methodology combines comparative-historical analysis, institutional, political-economic, and political-cultural approaches, as well as a secondary analysis of statistical data. The findings indicate that external military, technological, and economic challenges largely drove modernization in all three countries. Economic development and integration into global markets did not automatically lead to democratization; instead, authoritarian or hybrid political systems persisted. Religion played different roles across the selected cases: in Türkiye, it was subordinated to the secular state; in Iran, it became the foundation of a new political order after 1979; and in Saudi Arabia, it remained a key source of legitimacy alongside economic modernization. The study also reveals significant differences in urbanization, education, women’s labor-force participation, and social mobility, which contributed to distinct patterns of social stratification. The results indicate that the long-term stability of modernization strategies depended on how effectively political elites balanced institutional reforms with religious and cultural traditions.