Topic– World History
1) The impact of the Islamic Revolution of 1979 does not sit well with the current demography of Iran. Analyze. (250 words)
Why this question
February 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution, one of the major events of the 20th century and a momentous development in the modern history of Islam. Thus it is important to revise the impact, causes and the current implications of the Iranian revolution.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to discuss the impact of the Iranian revolution and highlight why the current demography of Iran is dissatisfied with the turn their country has taken.
Directive word
Analyze – When asked to analyze, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Explain about the Islamic revolution of 1979 – Iranian Revolution of 1978–79, also called Islamic Revolution, popular uprising in Iran in 1978–79 that resulted in the toppling of the monarchy on February 11, 1979, and led to the establishment of an Islamic republic.
Body
- Discuss the impact of the Iranian revolution
- Polity – Constitution provides political legitimacy to “God” and the divine law given in the Koran. What began as an authentic and anti-dictatorial popular revolution based on a broad coalition of all anti-Shah forces was soon transformed into an Islamic fundamentalist power-grab.
- Society – brought a reversal in the trend of secularization. There was a clear emphasis on Islam as the centre of governance has profound effects on Iran’s societal fabric. The 1979 Islamic Constitution resulted in a shift of the legal system from a secular to religious orientation.
- Role of extra and quasi judicial authorities
- Examine the current undercurrent of protests that is causing disillusionment of the young demography of Iran
- tensions between republicanism and authoritarianism
- tensions between two concepts of sovereignty — the divine and popular
- Despite the forceful post-revolutionary imposition of Islamic values and ways of living and the insertion of cultural politics into the everyday lives of young Iranians in the name of Islamic purity, the Iranian youth — especially young women — have not identified with the conservative values of the Islamic regime.
- The issues of joblessness, lack of social and political freedom etc which affect the young demography of Iran
Conclusion – Give your view of the discontent with the aftermath of revolution and the way forward.
