Strategy

Strategy

Investigating the Weaknesses and Threats to the Development of Civil Society in Iran's Contemporary Political Culture from the Perspective of Political Activists

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Amir Teimouri 1
Davood Ebrahimpoor 2
Soroush Fathi 3
1 PhD student in Sociology, Department of Social Sciences, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 PhD in Sociology, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University of Tabriz, Iran.
3 PhD in Sociology, Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University of Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/rahbord.2025.540629.1844
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of Iran's political culture on the formation of civil society from the Qajar period and the constitutional movement to the present day. The study employs a survey method using the SWOT model to measure the attitudes of political actors toward the obstacles, weaknesses, and threats within contemporary Iranian political culture that hinder the formation and consolidation of civil society. To collect data, a researcher-designed questionnaire was used, containing items to assess the weaknesses and threats in the political culture of contemporary Iranian society. The questionnaire was developed based on theoretical texts, empirical studies, and interviews with political activists. The statistical population included general secretaries and members of the central councils of political parties and organizations licensed by the Ministry of Interior of the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to the Ministry's announcement in 1400, there were 126 registered parties, and the statistical sample comprised 92 individuals, selected via systematic random sampling. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the research data. The results indicate that the most significant weaknesses in the development of civil society include: the prevalence of lying among the public; failure of rulers to fully respect citizens’ rights; the prevalence of tyranny in the behavior of managers; a preference for relationship-oriented over rule-oriented behavior; public detachment from political power; and the widespread presence of flattery among the populace. The most important threats to civil society include: political corruption; intolerance toward the opinions of political opponents; public distrust of rulers; the persistence of authoritarian tendencies among leaders; monopolistic attitudes among both rulers and citizens; and the widespread prevalence of luxury and consumerism.
Keywords
Obstacles of Political Culture
Obstacles to Civil Society
Contemporary Iran
Threats within Political Culture
Subjects
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Strategy
Volume 34, Issue 4 - Serial Number 117
Winter 2025
Pages 1075-1116

  • Receive Date 11 August 2025
  • Revise Date 11 October 2025
  • Accept Date 14 October 2025