The Marxist Position on Iran: Reactionary or Revolutionary?
Grayson Walker
Abstract
This paper argues for a reevaluation of the 1979 Iranian Revolution as a world-historical and progressive event within the broader trajectory of global revolutionary movements. Challenging dominant Western interpretations that frame the revolution as reactionary, it situates it as part of an alternative path through modernity—one that resists capitalist liberalism and asserts civilizational sovereignty. The analysis critiques the failures of Iranian leftist movements, particularly their lack of rootedness in the cultural and historical conditions of Iranian society, which led to their marginalization during the الثورة. Drawing on figures such as Ali Shariati, the paper highlights the integration of Islamic and revolutionary traditions as a key factor in the revolution’s success. It further develops a critique of reductionist Marxism, emphasizing the need for a non-deterministic and culturally grounded approach to revolutionary politics. Ultimately, the paper contends that Marxists should understand the Iranian Revolution as a continuation of the "World Revolution," offering critical lessons on sovereignty, civilizational specificity, and the necessity of reconnecting revolutionary movements with meaningful ideological and cultural foundations.
Keywords
Iranian Revolution, Modernity, Sovereignty, Civilizational Marxism, World Revolution
