Towards a general theory of Iranian revolutions

There is no universal theory of revolutions if only because no scientific theory can be universal. Neither is there even a general theory of European revolutions. But elements of such a theory do exist, including the crucial fact that European revolutions, though very different in time and space, were revolts against the ruling social classes by the rest of the society. Iranian revolts were typically against an 'unjust' arbitrary state, and were not resisted by any social class. The two revolutions in the twentieth century shared these basic features, notwithstanding the differences between them as well as with traditional Iranian revolts.