International encounters and Iran – Russia wars caused some elites of Qajar Dynasty start a series of Reformation in the 2nd half of nineteenth century. Amir Kabir was amongst the elites who did impirtant move in Reformation course. Most of the movements in this period encountering some obstacles, failed.

Reformation faced various obstacles; amongst them was political structure of Qajar Dynasty.

To explain this subject better, it has been tried in this research by applying Max Weber theories about paragons of political systems, to compare the power structure of dominant regimes in Iran and Japan in this period of time. In Weber’s point of view, political authority is tripartite: Charismatic, Traditional and Legal – Rational ones. Patrimonial and Feudal systems as the most developed kinds of traditional authority are posited here. Patrimonial Regime of Qajar Dynasty based on paternalistic authority and other characteristics such as Personalizing and informality of power, kinship,… obstructing Reformist elites’ activities, caused their failure. While Feudal system of Tokogawa in Japan which was settled on a contract and commitment between potent aristocrats and the system, by recognizing their independence paved the way for the Reformation. But in Qajar patrimonial regime, the Ruler as the unique person possessing power obstructed Reformation which reformist elites were supposed to carry out.

Reformation, Iran, Japan, Patrimonial system, Feudal system, Qajar Dynasty, Meij Restoration.