Exploring Revolution of the Deprived: Relative Deprivation and the Roots of the 1979 Iranian Uprising

Authors

Richa Bhattarai

Abstract

This paper explores the theory of relative deprivation to examine the underlying psychological, social, and structural causes of revolutionary conflict, using the 1979 Iranian Revolution as a primary case study. While traditional conflict analyses prioritize objective indicators such as economic disparity and lack of political representation, this study emphasizes subjective perceptions of injustice, cultural alienation, and group-based identity marginalization. Drawing on interviews with individuals who lived through the revolution and extensive historical analysis, the paper explores how decremental, aspirational, and progressive forms of deprivation converged to mobilize diverse societal groups. Religious and cultural grievances, combined with the legacy of foreign intervention—especially the 1953 U.S.-UK-backed coup—created a cumulative sense of betrayal and indignity. Using a conflict management lens, the study argues that subjective experiences of deprivation are central to understanding revolutionary mobilization and that effective peacebuilding strategies must address not only material inequalities but also emotional and symbolic grievances. This framework is broadly applicable to other revolutionary and resistance movements across the globe, offering insight into the psychological dimensions that drive political instability. The paper contributes to a more comprehensive theory of conflict and provides actionable implications for scholars and policymakers addressing contemporary unrest.

Keywords: Relative Deprivation, Conflict Management, Iranian Revolution, Revolutionary Movements, Subjective Injustice, Identity-Based Grievance

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