Social Diversification and its Impact on Political Stability in Iran since Islamic Revolution

Abstract

Iran launched an all-round Islamization movement after the Islamic Revolution, which, however, did not achieve real success. Since the 1990s, a noticeable shift has taken place in Iranian society, featuring a kind of “mass culture“ different from the official ideology, which, in essence, represents a pursuit of diversified values and lifestyles. Due to the secularization in their day-to-day life, Iranians are becoming increasingly indifferent towards religious duties. In the field of culture and art, religious taboos have been gradually broken. With the rise of feminism and the development of female culture, the situation of women’s complete confinement to the family has gradually changed, and women’s awareness of defending their rights and interests has greatly enhanced. Due to the profound impact of the social diversification, the relationship between society and government is both tense and compromising. The social diversification in Iran may be a considerable challenge to the political stability.