Publication

The outcome of the presidential election in June 2005 was indicative of fundamental social and political developments in Iran 26 years after its Revolution. The surprise victory by populist neo-Conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reflected resentment amongst poorer Iranians. Moreover, a younger generation of politicians whose politics were primarily shaped during their country's eight-year war against Iraq (1980–1988) has now become the tone-setting political class, including in government.