Application of witch-hunting theory for sociological explanation of revolutionary purifications (Russia. China and Iran)

Purification has been one of the salient features of revolutions. Purpose of this study is to explain this phenomenon through the lens of witch-hunting theory and compare its characteristics in the events of Russian, Chinese and Iranian revolutionary purification. Methodologically this study was comparative and the characteristics of the three major Purges of Russia (Stalin's Great Refinement), China (Mao Cultural Revolution Refinement) and Iran (Refinement in the early 1980s) have been compared historically by parallel demonstration of theory model. Data were collected from primary and secondary historical sources and analyzes were presented comparative-historically. The findings of the study, while generally confirming the assumptions of the witch-hunt theory about the three purification events, have shown that the purifications of Russia, China and Iran are similar in some respects and different in some others. Findings Shows, all three events occurred in a situation where collective representation and source of legitimacy were limited and the value system was the basis of the system's legitimacy in times of crisis. Leaders have defined political deviance in a way that includes rivals in order to establish or modernize order by modernizing the moral system. In addition, the weakening of intermediary civic institutions and the shift in priorities have led people to stop supporting each other, which has eventually led to witch hunts. There have been substantial differences between Iran and the other two countries that have shaped purge in Iranian revolution in a mid-revolutionary, religiously oriented, legitimate and democratic process.