فرصت طلايي براي تغيير

Social Challenges of Islamic Revolution in Iran:A Survey of Population Changes and their Implications on Legitimacy of the Political System

The legitimacy of political systems is measured by degree of homogeneity between beliefs and values of the populace, on the one hand, and the theoretical basis upon which the political ruling strata justify their dominance, on the other, Any factor affecting social beliefs and values may also affect legitimacy of political systems by exposing them to new challenges. On such basis, this article seeks to investigate quantitative and qualitative population changes in the years following the Islamic Revolution, changes such as growth of literate, higher education graduates, and urban sections of the population, The article also tries to survey impact exerted by such population changes on religious beliefs of the society, considering these beliefs as the most important basis for the legitimacy of the political system. It tries to answer the questions: What impact population changes has exerted on religionʹs status in Iran. What implications are likely to be brought about by an assumed change of religionʹs status on a religion-based state?