The Elusive Quest for Freedom in Iran: A Historical and Structural Analysis of Failed Democratic Movements

Author(s)	Ms. Mahnoush Sadat Moossavi
Country	Poland
Abstract	Iran’s modern history is marked by repeated popular uprisings demanding freedom, justice, and democratic governance. Despite significant moments of mobilization from the Constitutional Revolution of 1906 to the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement of 2022, the Iranian people have consistently failed to institutionalize lasting democratic freedoms. This article examines the structural, historical, and geopolitical reasons behind this recurring failure. Drawing on primary and secondary sources, it argues that top-down modernization without societal modernity, foreign interference, the absence of cohesive leadership, economic fragmentation, and international ambivalence have collectively undermined Iran’s democratic potential. The paper concludes that while the Iranian state remains resilient through repression and external alliances, the persistent accumulation of popular grievances suggests that the struggle for freedom is far from over.
Keywords	Iran, democracy, authoritarianism, social movements, “Woman, Life, Freedom”, foreign intervention, modernization
Field	Sociology > Politics
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 1, January-February 2026
Published On	2026-01-16
DOI	https://doi.org/10.63363/aijfr.2026.v07i01.1481
Short DOI	https://doi.org/hbk6xj

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