scientific journal Political Sociology of the Islamic Revolution

Abstract Electoral systems play a decisive role in the quality of political representation and the level of political participation in elections. In Iran, elections have consistently served as one of the principal arenas of interaction between society and the political structure. This study employs library-based research and qualitative content analysis to examine the following question: What impact has the electoral system in Iran had on the level of political participation during the period from 2000 to 2022? The findings indicate that the Iranian electoral system, based on a majoritarian model and direct voting mechanisms, has on the one hand provided a foundation for political legitimacy and formal citizen participation, while on the other hand, through its structural and institutional characteristics, has influenced the scope and quality of such participation. Furthermore, the dominance of a candidate-centered logic, weak party institutionalization, the winner-takes-all nature of the electoral system, and the limitation of reforms to procedural aspects have reduced the system’s capacity to fully reflect social and political diversity in political participation. An examination of different electoral periods also reveals that participation reached very high levels in some elections, turning them into arenas of broad social mobilization, whereas in other periods a significant decline in participation was observed. This fluctuation suggests that political participation in Iran is influenced not only by the legal structure of elections but also by the level of political competition, public trust, and citizens’ perceptions of the effectiveness of their votes.

Abstract Islamic governance and republicanism are two key concepts in the political system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the relationship between these two concepts in the Islamic Republic of Iran is what shapes the problem of this research. Clarifying this issue requires a careful balance between religious principles and social needs. The method of this research, which is qualitative and based on library studies, reveals that although one of the main challenges of the combination of Islamic governance and republicanism is the conflict of principles that may lead to conflict in decision-making, how strengthening civil institutions can help increase public participation and strengthen the foundations of popular governance. Legal reforms to align laws with Islamic principles and popular governance can help achieve these common goals so that it is an appropriate and efficient model with implementation capabilities. The Islamic Republic of Iran system, as a unique model, is trying to combine the principles of Islamic governance with the concepts of popular governance and republicanism. This system seeks to create a balance between religious authority and popular will. Examining the commonalities between Islamic governance and republicanism, as well as solving problems and overcoming challenges in the Islamic Republic system, can help to better understand this governance model.