The Failure of Political Parties’ Activities in Iran after the Islamic Revolution (1368-1392)

The present study aims to examine and analyze the reasons for the failure of political party activities in Iran during the years 1368 to 1392, with a focus on the political culture of elites and the interaction of structure/agency. In the model of democratic governance, political parties emerged from the acceptance of public elections and are regarded as the progeny of democracy, facilitating peaceful power transitions, elite rotation, and organized political participation of citizens. Therefore, they play a significant role in the political development of states. The emphasis of governance structures and the constitution on legal political participation and competition, alongside the instability and institutionalization of party activities, presents a multidimensional challenge that can seriously disrupt the rules of political games and, consequently, political stability, national security, and the nature of governance. Thus, it is essential to critically review and examine the complex and intertwined issues surrounding why the function of political parties in the Islamic Republic of Iran faced failure from 1368 to 1392. The research findings, using a descriptive-analytical method and utilizing library-documentary resources along with Giddens' structuration theory framework, indicate that various factors contribute to the failure of party mechanisms in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The political culture of elites, however, has proven to be a more influential factor. Political elites in Iran, unaware of the party's functions and the specific social context, influenced by temporary conditions and the pursuit of political power, established party organizations. Therefore, political parties not only lost their primary functions within the socio-political structure of society but also led to a lack of institutional trust at the level of political competition.