Revolutionary Right and the State: The Islamic Republic of Iran (1988-2013) as a Case Study

• In Event: Global and Transnational Sociology Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): 10. Contentious Politics

Abstract

The rise of new populist right-wing movements across the world has complicated social scientists’ understandings of the concept of “right-wing” and “conservative” movements. Additionally, the growing number of state-led movements has introduced new theoretical challenges to social movement studies, particularly scholarship on rightist movements. Integrating research on conservative movements into growing studies on pro-state protests, I will further sharpen the concept of “revolutionary right.” Using the Islamic Republic of Iran (IR) and its various political factions from 1988 until 2013, I further contribute to the emerging, yet underexplored, debate surrounding the revolutionary right. I will highlight questions such as: whether the revolutionary right is a pro-government force, whether its incorporation into the government strengthens its ideological repertoire and mobilizing capacity, and which issues incentivize its street rallies and protests.

Author

• Amirhossein Teimouri, Tarleton State University (Fort Worth)