Revolution in Iran

Daneshvar, Parviz (1993) Revolution in Iran. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

Revolutions are watershed events in world politics. Revolutions attempt to transform the existing political order and replace it with a new, but better one. Yet, in the modern age, the hallmark of most revolutions has been violence, war and dictatorship. The Iranian Revolution of 1979 was no exception. The people's demand for the change of the 2,500-year-old monarchy for the better has resulted in the establishment of a theocracy and religious despotism. The consolidation of the revolution has resulted in a reign of terror and a war with an enormous loss of human life at great economic cost.

The thesis analyzes the cause of revolution in Iran during the twentieth century, identifying points of similarity and difference between the 1979 revolution and earlier revolutionary events and processes. Both internal and external factors are considered in each case. The concluding sections place the Iranian revolution in the context of generally accepted theories of revolution, and in the light of Iranian experience reassess the susceptibility of Third World states to revolution and war.(DX178588)

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