Sociological Review 1010-2809 18 38 2011 08 23 A sociological explanation of instability of democracy in Iran A sociological explanation of instability of democracy in Iran 1 30 56085 FA Mohsen Koshafar Ali Saei Journal Article 2010 06 22 The focus of this paper is exploring the instability of democracy in Iran. There have been many struggles and efforts to establish democracy in Iran since the mid 19^th century onward but this trend has not led to a situation of consistent and stable democracy.  In this paper our aim is to explain the issue by application of social action theories. Based on a review of democratization theories we propose that in the situation of disrupted elites, conflict impasse, organized parties, and independence from mass pressure against compromise, elites make democratic treaty. Then in the condition of a strong party system with the legitimacy of democracy in comparison to other ideologies, democracy becomes stable. This argument has been tested by using a historical comparative method in both within and between systems. <br />We conclude that historical records indicate that conflict impasse seldom happened and this is a serious barrier to democratic agreement. In addition, a strong party system has never existed in Iran. Therefore, despite the existence of many attempts to establish a democratic system, consolidation of democracy has never been fully realized.  The focus of this paper is exploring the instability of democracy in Iran. There have been many struggles and efforts to establish democracy in Iran since the mid 19^th century onward but this trend has not led to a situation of consistent and stable democracy.  In this paper our aim is to explain the issue by application of social action theories. Based on a review of democratization theories we propose that in the situation of disrupted elites, conflict impasse, organized parties, and independence from mass pressure against compromise, elites make democratic treaty. Then in the condition of a strong party system with the legitimacy of democracy in comparison to other ideologies, democracy becomes stable. This argument has been tested by using a historical comparative method in both within and between systems. <br />We conclude that historical records indicate that conflict impasse seldom happened and this is a serious barrier to democratic agreement. In addition, a strong party system has never existed in Iran. Therefore, despite the existence of many attempts to establish a democratic system, consolidation of democracy has never been fully realized. 

Sociological Review 1010-2809 18 38 2011 08 23 A application of Davies theory to the Islamic Revolution in Iran A application of Davies theory to the Islamic Revolution in Iran 31 56 56086 FA Ghasem Oveisi Fardoei Gholam Reza Jamshidiha Journal Article 2010 10 04 The aim of this paper is to explain the Islamic Revolution of Iran based on Davis theory and suggest both advantages and limitations of this theory. More than three decades has passed since the triumph of the Islamic Revolution and the roots and causes of this revolution are still not adequately explored. Among the theories formulated to explain how revolutions happen, that of James Davies J curve has gained global popularity and due to high citation its importance is considerable. Despite this merit, applicability of this theory to the Islamic Revolution, is a matter of dispute among revolution researchers. The authors of the present paper have attempted to review the analyses provided by both advocates and opponents of the applicability of James Davis theory to the Islamic Revolution and adopted a reading provided by Ted Robert Gurr. Economic statistics published by the Plan and Budget Organization, economic reports published by Central Bank of Iran, and some other documents illustrate the capability of the mentioned theory to explain the Islamic Revolution considerably. However, the authors suggest that, Davies theory, due to its limitations, make clear some causes of Islamic Revolution, and to complete the explanation we need supplementary approaches, specially a cultural approach. The aim of this paper is to explain the Islamic Revolution of Iran based on Davis theory and suggest both advantages and limitations of this theory. More than three decades has passed since the triumph of the Islamic Revolution and the roots and causes of this revolution are still not adequately explored. Among the theories formulated to explain how revolutions happen, that of James Davies J curve has gained global popularity and due to high citation its importance is considerable. Despite this merit, applicability of this theory to the Islamic Revolution, is a matter of dispute among revolution researchers. The authors of the present paper have attempted to review the analyses provided by both advocates and opponents of the applicability of James Davis theory to the Islamic Revolution and adopted a reading provided by Ted Robert Gurr. Economic statistics published by the Plan and Budget Organization, economic reports published by Central Bank of Iran, and some other documents illustrate the capability of the mentioned theory to explain the Islamic Revolution considerably. However, the authors suggest that, Davies theory, due to its limitations, make clear some causes of Islamic Revolution, and to complete the explanation we need supplementary approaches, specially a cultural approach.

Sociological Review 1010-2809 18 38 2011 08 23 Narratives of religious social sciences and their relations with sociology Narratives of religious social sciences and their relations with sociology 57 88 56096 FA Hamidreza Jalaeipour Journal Article 2010 12 20 Formal criticism of sociology in Iran is not new, and this issue is culminated since 2009 under the rubric "Islamic Social Sciences".  Nonetheless, the feasibility of Islamic Social Sciences and its exact relationship with sociology is still not explored. This paper attempts to clarify the main arguments raised by religious critics of conventional scientific sociology. To reach the aim, the author, has identified eleven narratives of religious social sciences and has attempted to criticize these different versions and evaluate them.  It has been argued that at least three narratives contradict with academic sociology and eight ones that are less contradictory interact with conventional sociology critically. Finally it is concluded that just one of the narratives of religious social science has no contradiction with sociology. In addition, from the viewpoint of the author, both sociological and religious explanations of social issues are needed in the Iranian public sphere. Formal criticism of sociology in Iran is not new, and this issue is culminated since 2009 under the rubric "Islamic Social Sciences".  Nonetheless, the feasibility of Islamic Social Sciences and its exact relationship with sociology is still not explored. This paper attempts to clarify the main arguments raised by religious critics of conventional scientific sociology. To reach the aim, the author, has identified eleven narratives of religious social sciences and has attempted to criticize these different versions and evaluate them.  It has been argued that at least three narratives contradict with academic sociology and eight ones that are less contradictory interact with conventional sociology critically. Finally it is concluded that just one of the narratives of religious social science has no contradiction with sociology. In addition, from the viewpoint of the author, both sociological and religious explanations of social issues are needed in the Iranian public sphere.

Sociological Review 1010-2809 18 38 2011 08 23 A study of the relationship between social capital and educational achievement:The case of Abarkooh A study of the relationship between social capital and educational achievement:The case of Abarkooh 89 118 56097 FA Mahdi Amirkafi Aliasghar Akrami Journal Article 2010 12 12 Educational achievement has usually been an important issue among authorities of educational system, parents and teachers. Also, educational achievement can be a clear indicator of both teachers and students performance and a measure of the effectiveness of educational goals in general. A failure of educational achievement dissipates both human and material resources. Therefore, addressing educational achievement is critical and this paper, combining social capital theory, control theory, and attachment theory, attempts to investigate the effect of student social interaction variable on educational achievement mediated by coping strategies and school engagement. A sample of 296 high school students were surveyed and responded to the researcher constructed questionnaire. <br />The findings indicate that variables of parent-children relationship, active coping strategies and school engagement have significant and meaningful effects on educational achievement. Also, a path analysis indicates that the indirect effects of teacher-student and parents-teachers relationships variables on educational achievement are remarkable. In sum, based on a multiple regression analysis, our findings indicate that the main variables of this study explain 40 percent of the variances of the dependent variable.  Educational achievement has usually been an important issue among authorities of educational system, parents and teachers. Also, educational achievement can be a clear indicator of both teachers and students performance and a measure of the effectiveness of educational goals in general. A failure of educational achievement dissipates both human and material resources. Therefore, addressing educational achievement is critical and this paper, combining social capital theory, control theory, and attachment theory, attempts to investigate the effect of student social interaction variable on educational achievement mediated by coping strategies and school engagement. A sample of 296 high school students were surveyed and responded to the researcher constructed questionnaire. <br />The findings indicate that variables of parent-children relationship, active coping strategies and school engagement have significant and meaningful effects on educational achievement. Also, a path analysis indicates that the indirect effects of teacher-student and parents-teachers relationships variables on educational achievement are remarkable. In sum, based on a multiple regression analysis, our findings indicate that the main variables of this study explain 40 percent of the variances of the dependent variable. 

Sociological Review 1010-2809 18 38 2011 08 23 A study of educational socialization:The prerequisite of knowledge production A study of educational socialization:The prerequisite of knowledge production 119 143 56098 FA Hossein Dehghan Journal Article 2010 12 06 This paper attempts to examine the impact of social factors on the formation of Knowledge Based Personality among high school students. Knowledge Based Personality includes social values, learning strategies and educational perseverance. Theoretically, Knowledge Based Personality, which is influenced by educational perseverance, contributes to the production of knowledge in society. Methodologically, a systematic interview has been conducted among 600 female students from 3 secondary schools in 5 districts in Tehran to test the mentioned theoretical claim. <br />Findings indicate that expressive value affects educational perseverance more positively than the instrumental value. On the other hand, instrumental value has considerable negative impact on the educational perseverance. Furthermore, an increase in the amount of expressive value affects the intensive strategies of learning. By contrast, the growing of instrumental values among female students diminishes their intensive learning strategies and makes these strategies superficial. Therefore, the combination of expressive value, educational strategies of intensive learning and educational perseverance contribute to the formation of Knowledge Based Personality. This paper attempts to examine the impact of social factors on the formation of Knowledge Based Personality among high school students. Knowledge Based Personality includes social values, learning strategies and educational perseverance. Theoretically, Knowledge Based Personality, which is influenced by educational perseverance, contributes to the production of knowledge in society. Methodologically, a systematic interview has been conducted among 600 female students from 3 secondary schools in 5 districts in Tehran to test the mentioned theoretical claim. <br />Findings indicate that expressive value affects educational perseverance more positively than the instrumental value. On the other hand, instrumental value has considerable negative impact on the educational perseverance. Furthermore, an increase in the amount of expressive value affects the intensive strategies of learning. By contrast, the growing of instrumental values among female students diminishes their intensive learning strategies and makes these strategies superficial. Therefore, the combination of expressive value, educational strategies of intensive learning and educational perseverance contribute to the formation of Knowledge Based Personality.

Sociological Review 1010-2809 18 38 2011 08 23 A Meta-analysis of studies on factors affecting leisure time A Meta-analysis of studies on factors affecting leisure time 145 166 56099 FA Khadijeh Safiri Fatemeh Modiri Journal Article 2010 11 15 Meta-analysis is a way to combines the results of a set of studies that address some related research hypotheses. Meta-analysis enables us to evaluate and reanalyze the results of the previous studies and provide a new assessment of them. Accordingly, using a SPSS and Comprehensive Meta-analysis Software, this paper aims to review and make a critical assessment of a set of research conducted on leisure time and explore the most important factors affecting it. To reach the aim the authors have reviewed 43 articles, research projects and post graduate thesis conducted in the major universities located in Tehran. Results suggest that, regarding the relationship between the variables covered in the reviewed documents, income, having child, age, social class, educational level, gender, and marital status, respectively, affect the amount of time people spend on leisure time. Also, regarding the factors influencing how people use their leisure time, our results show that the relationship between gender and the way people use their leisure time is significant but considering educational level and income variables this relationship is not significant. Meta-analysis is a way to combines the results of a set of studies that address some related research hypotheses. Meta-analysis enables us to evaluate and reanalyze the results of the previous studies and provide a new assessment of them. Accordingly, using a SPSS and Comprehensive Meta-analysis Software, this paper aims to review and make a critical assessment of a set of research conducted on leisure time and explore the most important factors affecting it. To reach the aim the authors have reviewed 43 articles, research projects and post graduate thesis conducted in the major universities located in Tehran. Results suggest that, regarding the relationship between the variables covered in the reviewed documents, income, having child, age, social class, educational level, gender, and marital status, respectively, affect the amount of time people spend on leisure time. Also, regarding the factors influencing how people use their leisure time, our results show that the relationship between gender and the way people use their leisure time is significant but considering educational level and income variables this relationship is not significant.

Sociological Review 1010-2809 18 38 2011 08 23 Developmental approaches appeared in the campaign slogans of Parliament Election candidates and political groups in Tehran Developmental approaches appeared in the campaign slogans of Parliament Election candidates and political groups in Tehran 167 192 56100 FA Mehdi Taleb Hossein Imanijajarmi Seyed Ahmad Firozabadi Alireza Sadeghi Journal Article 2010 03 02 The aim of this paper is to study the impacts of developmental approaches slogans raised in the parliamentary elections campaigns in Iran. To search the issue, we gathered campaign items from 320 parliament candidates and 44 political groups. Then, using theoretical approaches and concepts of development, the content of election goals and plans of both candidates and political groups were analyzed. Our findings indicate that half of the candidates and one fifth of political groups who participated in the election competition were without goal and plan. Among those who had goal and plan the discourse of "wellbeing-societal" was dominant in their campaign slogans and the content of their goals and plans were close to the developmental approach of "basic needs". In addition the general content of slogans did not match the overall and balanced development and some important dimension of development, specifically foreign policy, cultural, and environmental issues, were marginalized.  The frequency of welfare slogans and paying less attention to metaphysical slogans indicate that individual candidates and groups targeted deprived and lower social classes and were aimed to attract their support. The aim of this paper is to study the impacts of developmental approaches slogans raised in the parliamentary elections campaigns in Iran. To search the issue, we gathered campaign items from 320 parliament candidates and 44 political groups. Then, using theoretical approaches and concepts of development, the content of election goals and plans of both candidates and political groups were analyzed. Our findings indicate that half of the candidates and one fifth of political groups who participated in the election competition were without goal and plan. Among those who had goal and plan the discourse of "wellbeing-societal" was dominant in their campaign slogans and the content of their goals and plans were close to the developmental approach of "basic needs". In addition the general content of slogans did not match the overall and balanced development and some important dimension of development, specifically foreign policy, cultural, and environmental issues, were marginalized.  The frequency of welfare slogans and paying less attention to metaphysical slogans indicate that individual candidates and groups targeted deprived and lower social classes and were aimed to attract their support.