The Position of Middle Class in Iran After the Islamic Revolution and How to Legitimize the Ruling Structure (1978-2013)

The fundamental issues in political sociology are examining the position and function of social forces in political and social developments and their impact on the legitimacy of the ruling structure. Among the various social classes, the role of the middle class as an influential class in legitimizing the ruling structure has always been highlighted. This study aimed to explain the position and role of the middle class in Iran’s political and social developments. In addition, the middle class’s role in the legitimacy of the ruling structure from the beginning of the Islamic Revolution in Iran until 2013 was studied. The present article used the descriptive-analytical method based on library studies. The research results showed that the middle class was considered the main class in the socio-political developments of Iran. Moreover, the middle class used the following components to play an important role in legitimizing the ruling structure: being the class accompanying the ideology of the system, trying to transition to democracy in Iran, strengthening political participation, strengthening relations with influential groups and parties in the political arena, and strengthening the political culture.