Social Movements in Iran: Environmentalism and Civil Society
Author: Fadaee, Simin , simin.fadaee@hu-berlin.de
Department: Sociology
University: Albert-Ludwigs University Freiburg, Germany
Supervisor: Prof. Hermann Schwengel
Year of completion: 2009
Language of dissertation: English
Keywords:
Iran
, Social Movements
, Environmental Moveme
, Civil Society
Areas of Research:
Social Classes and Social Movements
, Futures Research
, Environment and Society
Abstract
Despite the growing significance of social movements worldwide, scholarship on the subject remains largely Western in nature, with studies written primarily by Western scholars and based on the experiences of Western cultures and societies. This study makes an important contribution to the study of social movements in non-Western societies by examining their development in Iran. With a particular focus on the environmental movement, this research sheds new light on the implications and significance of these movements in contemporary Iran. Drawing on in-depth original research, the case study of the environmental movement is integrated into a historical and comparative analysis. By implementing the new social movement theory, the research shows the shortcomings of this theory in a non-Western society. Three interrelated objectives have been identified in this study. First, the research explores how modern social movements developed in Iran. Second, it offers an analysis of the environmental movements in Iran as an example of a ‘new’ social movement. Third, it examines the relevance of ‘new social movement theory’ in the Iranian context.
