Applying the Balance of Power Theory in Explaining the Failure of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution; Emphasising the Role of Russia

This article is an inquiry into the causes of the failure of the Iranian ConstitutionalRevolution of 1906 in achieving its aims and objectives، as the triumphant revolution facedmany difficulties shortly after victory. In the period، Iran was integrated into theinternational system، therefore، without noting international issues، understanding itsinternal developments cannot be possible. The current paper is a study of internationalsituation in that historical period، ranging from the victory of the revolution in 1906 to theWorld War I and finally the collapse of the constitutional government. The main questionin this paper is: why did the Iranian Constitutional Revolution، in spite of Iranian people’efforts fail? Relying on the balance of power theory as its theoretical framework، theauthors put forward the thesis that as the aims of the revolution were against the interests ofRussia and its ally of the time، Britain، the two great powers collaborated to undermine therevolution، and finally caused its defeat.