Religion, démographie et Tiers-Monde: l'Islam et l'ambition des jeunes iraniens

Abstract

The Islamic Revolution in Iran coincided with the social emergence of new generations of young widely literate city-dwellers born after the White Revolution of 1962. These “sons of Mossadegh” were ambitious and took the opportunities presented by Islamic ethics and religious strength to take power in the villages, the cities and of course in the state. They became the main victims and also the senior officers of the Islamic state. The new geopolitical situation of Iran within Third World countries and as a part of the Islamic World can explain their pride and their global fidelity to the Islamic regime, even in the war against Iraqi invasion which was for them a war of independence. In this regard, theological and ideological aspects of the Islamic Revolution may be regarded as of less importance. In fact, the experience of ten years of Islamic rule may change Islam and Shii clergy in their relations with politics: as a paradox, instead of setting up reform within Islam, it may accelerate the move towards secularization which seems to have already begun.