THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION AND THE UTOPIAN IMAGINATION

Back to Page Authors: Zahra Fakhar Toosi

Keywords: utopianism, radicalism, Messianism, propaganda, revolution

Abstract: The Iranian revolution of 1979 followed by the establishment of the Islamic Republic remains one of the most enigmatic historical events, whose real tendencies and inclinations are not thoroughly brought into the light. This study aims to interpret the events leading to the 1979 upheavals until the creation and establishment of the Islamic Republic, by shedding light on the cultural grounds that catalyzed the revolution, precisely the historical desire for creating the ideal city or Utopianism. Leftist thinkers, religious intellectuals, the clergy circles, and the masses who participated in the movement, all had different ideological inclinations and desires but what tied them all together and created a singular voice was the Iranian utopian imagination. Qualitative research methods will be conducted to reach the objectives of the study. Data will be the visual content created to enforce revolutionary sentiments, from propaganda posters, and slogans, to recorded and written interviews and speeches. The data will be analyzed using content analysis methods.