The Continuity of Oppression: State of Power in Iran from Reza Shah II to Ayatollah Khomeini

Abstract Modern Iranian history is defined less by rupture than by the structural continuity of a sophisticated police state. This paper argues that the Islamic Republic’s theocratic framework sits atop an authoritarian foundation established during the Pahlavi era. By tracing the evolution of power from Mohammad Reza Shah to Ayatollah Khomeini, the study identifies a "durable state logic" that prioritizes survival over democratic legitimacy. The analysis frames the 1953 coup as the "original sin" of Iranian governance, setting a precedent for suppressing popular will. It contends that the 1979 Revolution functioned as a "change in management" rather than a total liberation, as the new regime repurposed the Shah’s repressive machinery—transitioning the functions of SAVAK into the IRGC. Through the "Axis of Resistance" and the systematic rollback of women’s rights, the research demonstrates that while justifications shifted from the secular to the divine, the instruments of control remained constant. Keywords: Authoritarianism, SAVAK, IRGC, Pahlavi Dynasty, 1979 Revolution, Theocracy, Structural Continuity.