This article aims to introduce and criticize Kuzerman’s theory (1996) on Iran’s Islamic revolution. The starting point of Kurzman’s theory is mainly based on an analysis about revolutions developed by Alexis de Tocqueville. According to such an analysis, the emergence of revolutions becomes more likely upon the convergence and combination of these two key determinants: institutional and structural opportunities (such as the state’s weakness against the nation’s political pressure) and perceived opportunities (such as public awareness of existing opportunities for successful protests). However, Kurzman (1996) argues that such an analysis cannot explain all revolutions. The case of Iran’s Islamic revolution has been addressed as an example to support this argument.
Memar, R. (2014). Institutional Opportunity or Imagined Opportunity?:
Introduction and Criticism on Kurzman’s Theory about Iran’s Islamic Revolution. Sociology of Social Institutions, 1(4), 135-155.
MLA
Ramatollah Memar. "Institutional Opportunity or Imagined Opportunity?:
Introduction and Criticism on Kurzman’s Theory about Iran’s Islamic Revolution". Sociology of Social Institutions, 1, 4, 2014, 135-155.
HARVARD
Memar, R. (2014). 'Institutional Opportunity or Imagined Opportunity?:
Introduction and Criticism on Kurzman’s Theory about Iran’s Islamic Revolution', Sociology of Social Institutions, 1(4), pp. 135-155.
VANCOUVER
Memar, R. Institutional Opportunity or Imagined Opportunity?:
Introduction and Criticism on Kurzman’s Theory about Iran’s Islamic Revolution. Sociology of Social Institutions, 2014; 1(4): 135-155.
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