The Islamic Republic of Iran and the ‘Woman’s Question’: Social Struggle Between Neoliberalism and Authoritarianism

This article explores the 'woman's question' within the Islamic Republic in the context of neoliberal policies. Challenging the 'exceptionalist' view that treats Iran's authoritarianism as isolated from global forces, it argues that the state's patriarchal and repressive tendencies stem from its integration into global capitalism. Women's increasing activism is examined as part of wider class struggles over state control and resource distribution. Through a historical lens, the article reveals how gender, class, and authoritarianism intersect in Iran's political economy, offering new insights into the structural foundations of both state repression and resistance in contemporary Iranian society.