Prospects for political transition in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

More than fifty percent of Iran's sixty million citizens were born after the Islamic revolution. As these baby boomers take their place in Iranian society, they are straining the country's social, economic, and political infrastructure. This has given rise to a pro-reform political movement that rejects the authoritarian policies of the ruling clerics. The movement began in 1997 with the landslide election of pro-reform candidate Muhammad Ichatami. Since then, President Khatami has implemented democratic reforms that have infiltrated the conservatives but delighted the masses. Recently, pro-reform forces have united and as such they are able to challenge the existing political power structure. This thesis argues that the Islamic Republic of Iran is currently in the midst of a political transition that will force the ruling clerics from power.