Reasons for the Islamic Revolution and Theory of Good Governance: A Case Study of Pahlavi II Government 1953-1978

Reasons behind culmination of the Islamic Revolution in Iran have been analyzed from various political, social, economic and cultural points of view. This study has relied on the “theory of good governance” to find the roots of the formation of Islamic Revolution in the historical period between 1953 and 1979. The pivotal factor in the theory of good governance is the constructive interaction of the government with the civil society. This constructive interaction results in political stability, political participation and controlling political corruption. The question is: How far was the second Pahlavi reign compatible with the theory of good governance in between the years 1953 and 1979, and how can the reasons behind culmination of Islamic Revolution be analyzed based on this theory? Findings of this research work suggest that in the period under discussion the hostile relations between the government and the civil society led to the expansion of political corruption, political instability and political participation against the ruling system. These factors accelerated culmination of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.