Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Mohammad Hossein Panahi ¹
• Atena Kamel Ghalibaf ²

¹ Professor of Sociology , Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

² PhD Candidate of Political Sociology, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This study aims at examining strategies of political participation of four varied groups, namely teachers, students, women, and laborers. Drawing on theories of formal/informal political actions, the paper has interrogated the political strategies actors employ to realize their claims within the broader political scene. This includes theories of democratization and authoritarian resilience. In order to gather data, the study uses qualitative methods and semi-structured interview. In this light, 22 political activists from different groups were interviewed. Following this, thematic content analysis came along to assess the findings. Accordingly, four different strategies have been recognized, that is rapprochement or negotiating with state, resisting against state, renewal and reconstructing the organization after repression, and finally making coalition with other groups. However, these strategies should not be considered as completely separated way of acting in the political scene. Quite contrary, actors more often employ the combination of these varied strategies. Furthermore, it seems that political organizations have a kind of sequence beginning with contacting and negotiating with statesman. Next step would be more informal way of action (legal or illegal) which is not without consequences. These consequences make political activists more cautious and lead them toward informal and underground activities including establishing non-registered groups and individual or collective sporadic activities.

Keywords

• Political Participation
• Formal and Informal
• Civil Society Organizations
• Iran

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