Emad Afroogh: Since no structural reform is happening, we should expect these protests to repeat.
In a conversation with ISNA, sociologist Emad Afroogh commented on the roots of the recent protests in the country, stating that both the realities of Iranian society and the history of similar events in the country, as well as some critical approaches in sociology, indicate that these events will recur.
Protests in Iran also have political and cultural backgrounds, and we are not just witnessing economic marginalization. For years, a false and artificial polarization has been initiated by political groups in the diverse spectrum of Iranian society.
Economically, in addition to injustice in the distribution of economic benefits, we have inequality, monopolization, and rent-seeking. Privileges have been given to certain individuals, and the majority have been excluded from these privileges.
Since no structural reform is happening, we should expect these protests to repeat. Saying that we should debate and have dialogue is the first step, and we need to see whether this first step includes practical measures to combat marginalization and implement structural reforms or not.