A Comparative Study of the Political Tendencies of the Representatives of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (with Emphasis on the 6h and 7th Terms)1

The purpose of the present study is to comparatively analyze the political tendencies of the representatives of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Iranian Parliament) with regard to the institutional approach in the 6th and 7th terms. The main question is: what are the commonalities and differences between the political tendencies of the Iranian parliament representatives in the 6th and 7th terms in the framework of political development? The research relies on the hypothesis that the variables of the principlist discourse are based on political development following the progressive principle of Wilāyat-e Faqih and Iranian Constitution, the comprehensiveness of religion in the realm of politics and anti-hegemony, persistence on the basic principles, purposes, and goals of the Islamic Revolution, and continual realization of the ideas and ideals of Imām Khomeyni. The results showed that despite the difference between the representatives’ approach and function with respect to politics, within legislation and supervision duties, their political tendencies in the 6th and 7th terms of the Islamic Consultative Assembly have been towards performance in political development and so it has prepared the ground for familiarity with Iran’s political elites.