Authoritarian Nationalism and Identity Politics in the Face of the Jina Movement

Abstract

Since last Shahrivar [August—September], a movement has arisen across Iran which has come to be recognised globally by its pivotal slogan, ‘Zan Zendegi Azadi’. This movement can be viewed from one perspective, as a continuation of the Dey 1396 [December—January 2017–2018], and Aban 1398 protests [October—November 2019] protests, in large part due to the fact that, like these previous two uprisings, it featured the same anti-establishment demands. However, this most recent Movement has also featured the highest rates of involvement from women, youth, and ethnic minority groups in decades. Much has been written to describe and explain the Jinah Movement, and so I don’t intend to discuss the reasons for its formation, nor its distinguishing features, the reasons for its subsequent decline, or its current prospects. Instead I will take this opportunity to question what factors—aside from the decisive role of repressive structure—contributed to the decline of the movement, what discourses played an inhibiting role in this movement and what could ultimately make its victory impossible?

Keywords:

• Iran
• Protests
• Life
• Women
• Freedom
• Nationalties
• Identity Politics

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Parviz Sadeghat

Parviz Sedaghat is a political economist and editor of the Naghd-e Eghtesad-e Siasi website. http://pecritique.com. Email: [email protected] 460P. Sedaghat