Chapter 3

The Pillars of the Islamic Revolution of IranThe Causes of the Victory of the Revolution

1 - The People

With respect to the role of the people in revolutions, one must bear in mind that great revolutions are inherently social affairs and are therefore imbued with social characteristics. Furthermore, they comprise other elements such as co-existence and mutual cooperation toward optimal use of available resources for reaching common goals and ideals. Also, since they are public affairs and involve the multitudes, they contain an amalgamation of views and opinions, which for a period happen to agree on the necessity of bringing down the ruling establishment. The last point we must not forget in this regard is that although in a classification we can differentiate between the leaders of a revolution and the masses, because social revolutions are so popular and widespread in their adherents, and great in nature, and have to satisfy a great number of views and beliefs, they have always been vulnerable.^[20]