Is Iran Democratizing? Reform at an Impasse

Issue Date October 2000
Volume 11
Issue 4
Page Numbers 114-128
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Once again, a reformist electoral victory has been followed by political setbacks. The key to understanding this paradoxical pattern lies in the unique theocratic constitutional structure of the Islamic Republic.

Further Reading

Volume 16, Issue 4

Iran’s Peculiar Election: A Historical Perspective

The June 2005 presidential ballot marks the culmination of the regime’s effort to dominate even the limited powers of the popularly elected offices.

Volume 11, Issue 4

Is Iran Democratizing?

The Editors’ introduction to “Is Iran Democratizing?”

Volume 16, Issue 4

Iran’s Peculiar Election: The Struggle Against Sultanism

Given the unaccountable authority of the supreme leader, the Islamic Republic should be classified as a sultanistic regime. In such regimes, democratic change is more likely to come from nonviolent…