Policies for Realizing Revolutionary Political Culture in Mediatized Iran

The realization of revolutionary political culture, as a cornerstone of legitimacy and national cohesion in the Islamic Republic of Iran, faces challenges in a mediatized society, including the proliferation of rival discourses, the influence of unfavorable political attitudes, political anomie, and intense competition for public opinion. Focusing on this fundamental issue, the present study addresses the central question: What policies should the Islamic Republic of Iran adopt to consolidate and expand revolutionary political culture in this challenging context? This qualitative research, employing Laclau and Mouffe's theoretical framework of discursive hegemony – which posits that achieving a hegemonic discourse necessitates four conditions: general appeal (or capacity for generalization), accessibility (or capacity for access), credibility (or capacity for credibility), and supporting power – collected its data through semi-structured interviews with a range of elites and experts in culture, media, and politics, and analyzed it using systematic thematic analysis.

According to the findings, designing policies to strengthen inclusive narratives that can link revolutionary ideals with society's diverse needs and concerns; intelligent utilization of diverse media capacities (both traditional and new) for maximum reach; enhancing institutional legitimacy through public trust-building based on transparency and accountability; and fostering synergy between state and non-state actors to mobilize resources and expand influence, are key axes of effective policymaking in this area. Furthermore, the results highlight the vital importance of coordination between macro-cultural objectives and specific media policies. Attention to technological advancements, understanding their resultant opportunities and threats for discursive dynamism, and employing innovative methods in political communication are also key factors to be considered in policymaking. By offering practical solutions in each of these areas, this research presents an applicable, evidence-based policy framework for achieving the desired revolutionary political culture in today's changing and dynamic media landscape, and can guide the country's policymakers and cultural and media planners.