In the late 19th century, governance in Iran was in desperate need of reform.  Corruption was rife and the country was being sold off through foreign concessions. In this episode, eminent Baha'i scholar, Dr. Moojan Momen, provides the historical context and background to two key books authored by Abdul-Baha (one still yet to be translated) which engage in this social discourse and helped bring about Iran's first democratic institutions.  This is the first of two parts - providing the background context to the larger narrative.