نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی

نویسندگان

• سید ابوذر خوش‌بیان ¹
• پرویز امینی ²
• جواد حیدری ²

¹ دانشجوی دکتری مطالعات انقلاب اسلامی، گرایش آینده‌پژوهی انقلاب اسلامی، دانشکده حکمرانی، دانشگاه شاهد، تهران، ایران

² استادیار گروه علوم سیاسی دانشگاه شاهد، تهران، ایران

چکیده

امروزه اعتراض و تغییرخواهی بخش جدایی‌ناپذیر از حیات نظام‌های سیاسی در دوره نوین حکمرانی شده است. متأخرترین اعتراضات فراگیر در ایران، اعتراضات سال ۱۴۰۱ است که پس از مرگ خانم مهسا امینی رخ داد. هدف مقاله، شناخت چیستی این اعتراضات و پیامدهای آن است. روش مورد استفاده در تحقیق، روش نظریه زمینه‌ای یا گرندد تئوری است که به گردآوری نظرات نخبگان پرداخته و سپس در سه سطح باز، محوری و انتخابی کدگذاری صورت گرفته است. مهمترین یافته‌های این پژوهش بیان می‌دارد که شرایط علی شامل نارضایتی از وضع موجود از جمله سیاسی، فرهنگی، اقتصادی، انباشت نارضایتی‌ها و نداشتن چشم‌انداز مثبت از آینده است. شرایط زمینه‌ای شامل تعلیق اصل 27 قانون اساسی؛ غیاب سیاست در حوزه عمومی و تضعیف رسانه‌های رسمی است. شرایط مداخله‌گر شامل زیرساخت‌سازی کشورهای متخاصم از جمله در حوزه‌های سیاسی، اقتصادی، فرهنگی، فشارهای دولتی و فشارهای رسانه‌ای است. کنش‌ها و واکنش‌ها شامل آزادسازی قیمت‌ها، مرگ مهسا امینی و بروز اعتراضات است. در نهایت پیامدهای آن شامل رادیکالیسم اجتماعی، امنیت زدایی، اقتدارزدایی از حاکمیت، مشارکت‌زدایی مدنی و ... است. در پایان نتایج حاصل از پژوهش نشان داد صورت اعتراضات 1401 یک تغییرخواهی اعتراضی از نوع شورش اجتماعی است.

کلیدواژه‌ها

• اعتراضات 1401
• مهسا امینی
• اعتراض
• نظریه زمینه‌ای
• شورش

موضوعات

• سیاست داخلی ایران

عنوان مقاله [English]

The Essesnce of 2023 Protests in Iran: A Grounded Theory Study

نویسندگان [English]

• abouzar khoshbayan ¹
• Parviz Amini ²
• Javad Haydari ²

¹ Ph.D Student, Islamic Revolution Studies, Islamic Revolution Future Studies Major, Faculty of Governance, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Political Science, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

چکیده [English]

Introduction
Protest and the pursuit of change are integral aspects of political systems, including modern democratic regimes. Protests can arise from a wide range of causes and manifest in various forms—an understanding of which is crucial for responding to them effectively. The current study aimed to examine the nature of the protests that took place in Iran during 2022–2023, following the death of Mahsa Amini. These events had profound and lasting consequences for the country, continuing for several months. Notably, the 2023 protests shared similarities with the protests of 2017 and 2019, and had significant negative impacts on national cohesion, security, and authority. Among the social protests of the past half-decade, the 2023 demonstrations stand out in terms of their social, political, and security implications—making them particularly significant for the future trajectory of the Islamic Revolution. Achieving a clear and accurate understanding of the nature and causes of these events is essential for anticipating future protest movements in Iran. Such a critical reflection can help prevent the recurrence of such costly upheavals in the country.
Literature Review
Public protests—ranging from riots to social movements and revolutions—play a significant role in the transformation of political power and structures. The topic is a recurring theme in the related literature. Notable studies include: “Examining the Protests of 2016–2021 Based on the Theory of Relative Deprivation” (Suri, ), “The Relationship Between Poverty and Political Violence in the Islamic Republic Of Iran: The Study of Economic Protests (2013–2019)” (Lotfi-Miri, 2021), “Analysis of 2019 Economic Protests in Iran Based on the Grounded Theory Method” (Ashrafi-Dehkordi, ), “Investigation of the Causes and the Formation of the Aban 2019 Movement” (Dehghan, ), and “Unemployment and Political Protests in Iran (2005–2013)” (Rezaei, ). These works are valuable contributions to the field, addressing the connections between political protests and factors such as religion, political stability, and the constitution. While they enrich the theoretical literature on political protests in Iran, none of them attempt to explore future scenarios or offer alternative political futures for the country.
Materials and Methods
This study employed the grounded theory methodology. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with twenty-six experts in politics selected via purposive sampling. In line with the grounded theory approach, the analysis followed three stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding.
Results and Discussion
In contemporary societies where the political system is based on some form of democracy, protest has become an inseparable aspect of social life. The direct expression of public opinion—whether through street demonstrations or cyberspace protest—has emerged as a key method for citizens to voice their demands. We are now witnessing the rise of a protest society or a social movement society in which people seek rapid responses to their demands through protest. In such contexts, political solutions often become less effective. This trend has also affected the Islamic Republic of Iran, where the political system is based on a model of religious democracy. In recent years, protests in Iran have increased, reflecting broader shifts in the nature and role of protest in modern societies. During 2022–2023 in Iran, protests suddenly evolved into a form of social movement. Contemporary approaches in the study of social movements—particularly the social constructivist approach—highlight the importance of meaning-making, identity, emotions, and motivation in driving protest.
The 2023 protests centered around new interpretations of femininity, clothing, the hijab, and lifestyle. Individuals who experienced identity conflicts and dissonance with the dominant cultural order were emotionally moved by the death of a young woman, which catalyzed their motivation to take to the streets. However, for various reasons—including the involvement of foreign and anti-government factors, as well as the influence of foreign Persian-language media—the protests did not fully develop into a coherent social movement. Instead, they shifted toward rebellion and subversion. In the social constructivist approach, anti-cultural groups are seen as identity-based groups that play a significant role in protests.
During the 2023 protests, women, girls, and especially teenagers were notably active participants. These teenagers often acted collectively, forming groups based on peer relationships and familiar communities. In fact, a new sense of solidarity emerged among the younger generation, rooted in a newly formed cultural identity. This approach also views forms of protest as ideological and identity-driven, often reflecting alternative lifestyles.
In the 2023 protests, before being overtaken by interventionist forces and their rebellious nature, the movement was initially grounded in a specific cultural identity aimed at achieving a lifestyle aligned with Western ideals. In essence, a Westernized identity and culture were being reproduced among the youth, who expressed their aspirations through protest. However, as the focus of the protests shifted—from achieving certain normative demands to advocating for a change in the political system—the direction of the movement also changed. At this stage, the overriding rebellious element, instead of a social movement, played an influential role in shaping the continued trajectory of the protests.
Conclusion
This research aimed to develop a deeper understanding of the protests that occurred following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. Using the grounded theory methodology, the study found that the main phenomenon and category of these protests can be described as a desire for change. This desire manifested as a rebellion, fueled by an outburst of anger. Several causal conditions influenced the main phenomenon, including widespread dissatisfaction with the current economic, political, and cultural situation; the accumulation of past protests; and a lack of hope or clear prospects for the future. In addition, factors such as the absence of political engagement in the public sphere, the lack of media with broad authority, and the suspension of Article 27 of the Law also contributed to the protests. The findings also revealed intervening conditions, namely the efforts of enemies in laying the foundations through economic pressure and sanctions, as well as cultural invasion, media exploitation, and governmental pressure. The actions and interactions leading up to the protests began early in 2022, with the liberalization of prices followed by the death of Mahsa Amini. These events created the conditions necessary for a segment of society to express their dissent through rebellion. The most significant consequence of this phenomenon has been the spread and intensification of social radicalism in Iran. Finally, the research concludes that the 2023 protests constitute a form of social rebellion, and unless the underlying issues are addressed, similar riots are likely to occur in Iranian society in the future.

کلیدواژه‌ها [English]

• Iran’s 2023 Protests
• Mahsa Amini
• Rebellion
• Grounded Theory
• Collective Action