The Resilience of Populism in Iranian Politics: A Closer Look at the Nexus between Internal and External Factors
Keyword(s):
This article seeks to demonstrate that the resiliency of populism in Iran cannot be fully explained by internal variables alone. In contrast to many existing approaches, we argue that a combination of internal and external factors have contributed to the longevity and the resilience of Islamic populism in the country. The United States' hostile policies toward Iran — especially under Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump — have contributed to the rise of a nationalist- populist backlash intended to safeguard the survival of the Islamic Republic.