Iranian Journal of Sociology

Abstract Changes in approaches for citizenship discourse led to a new definition of citizenship. This definition, as a legal base, emphasizes the role of citizens as actors in the society, politics, government. The formation of the active citizenship concept is rooted in this approach. In this paper active citizenship means the ability of people to involve in various types of social and political actions, with the aim of decision making and having influence based on mutual respect and non-violence. However, the results of different empirical studies reveal that the amount of citizenship realization in society is not desirable, and the majority of Tehrani citizens are passive individuals. Therefore, the main purpose of this research is to study the status of active citizenship in Tehran and its influential factors. The research method is a survey and the population includes all Tehrani citizens aged above 18 years old. The sample size was 1200 and the stratified sampling method is used to select correspondent. The data collection tool was a questionnaire with more than 0.7 formal and reliable validity.
The correlation test results showed that there was a significant  relationship between enjoying citizenship rights, media consumption, and universalism with active citizenship. Plus, there was an indirect relationship between the sense of social deprivation and the feeling of powerlessness. In addition, multivariate regression results indicated that 40% of the changes in the active citizenship variable were explained by independent variables. Also, the enjoyment of citizenship rights with the beta coefficient of 0.25 had the most impact on active citizenship.  The findings also demonstrated that the feeling of powerlessness, the sense of social deprivation, lack of civic skills or distrust to the impact of social involvement in changing economic and welfare situation of society, are the most important barriers of active citizenship. Although citizens are familiar with political knowledge and interest, civic duties, and legitimacy, they are unaware of civic skills and the means of social and political participation. or do not consider the current space and collaborative methods to advance their mental interests. The main need for active citizenship is the skill of converting demands into participation.
 
 

Abstract This paper tries to provide a better understanding of Iranians’ everyday life in the telegram. Recently, telegram has become the most popular Instant Messaging Application (IMA). Regarding the telegram’s popularity, there is a need to conduct thorough research into different aspects of using it. In order to carry out this study, different theories about everyday life were evaluated, especially Schutz’s ideas. A combination of participant observation and qualitative interviews was employed as a methodology. Therefore, we participated constantly in a group and interviewed 8 telegram heavy users. The findings showed that the meaning of time in telegram has changed. Furthermore, a part of individuals’ worlds has changed in the actual world by the telegram. Additionally, the shaping of  “Thou-orientations” and “We-relations” are easier in the telegram. Most importantly, telegram disturbs the order of zones of relevance, changing and expanding them. Hence, some situations with low relevance are converted to the ones with high relevance. This phenomenon caused what Bayat called the quiet encroachment of the ordinary people. This is kind of resistance but not the only one. It is important to note that users employ this app as a field to create their techniques.    

Abstract Visibility is a new topic that is linked to the issue of minorities in today's societies. Minority groups attempt to enhance visibility and make the other groups recognize them in their own societies. This research tries to study Zoroastrians visibility as a religious minority in Tehran. The main question is that how is the visibility of Zoroastrian minority as one of the three legal religious minorities in the public space of Tehran city? For this purpose, we applied different research techniques, including observation, Participant observation, in-depth interviews and documentary studies methods. The research results showed that according to four indicators as place, rites, media, and coverage, Zoroastrians are barely visible in the public space of Tehran. Consequently, unlike the religious minorities in other countries, such as European societies, Zoroastrians do not want to improve the visibility of their religious minority in the public space of Tehran.
 

Abstract With the generalization of neoliberalization in recent decades, some changes have been made in the Third World’s cities to remove barriers to capital accumulation and capital flows. An obvious example is a change in the use of urban space. In this research, we try to present a theoretical model explaining the influential factors of the change of urban land use using the approach of the political economy of space. For this purpose, with regard to urban and global factors affecting the land use change, we presented a theoretical model of the political economy. Then, in order to design a theoretical model about influential factors on urban land use change, we combined the urban and global factors. The findings demonstrated that to propose a comprehensive explanatory model, we need to consider the internal factors for the Third World countries.    

Abstract Chronic diseases are one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in this age. Adopting a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to cope whit these types of diseases. The aim of this research was to study The structural – capital determinants of healthy lifestyle among patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) before the disease. The research method is a  survey and regarding time, it is cross-sectional. The sample size was 412 patients (including 239 men and 173 women). The results of "Structural Equation Modeling" showed that the collected data, the structural model with exogenous variables "socioeconomic status", "life condition" and "health relevant capital" confirmed to an acceptable extent.  The total effect of these three variables on a healthy lifestyle was equal to 0.46. In other words, 0.46 of healthy lifestyle changes the among patients can be explained by these three variables and 0.54 of unexplained variance is related to the variables out of the equation.    

Abstract Iranian Call and Reform Organization is one of the active religious currents in Iranian  Kurdistan. This organization is one of the religious currents in  Kurdistan which is active in religious, cultural, and educational actions within the framework of the existing political system.  In the present study, to understand the experiences and perceptions of senior and active members, we interviewed 30 members, using a semi-structured questionnaire. Findings showed that because of the nationalist Kurds’ tendency towards ethnic identity, the weakness of the religions’ position in Kurdistan, cultural conflict in Kurdistan, and Sunnies’ insignificant power in Iran, the member of this organization try to participate in political actions.  In addition, modernity and the Islamic Republic of Iran’s legal frameworks work as facilitator contexts; and success in Islamic countries and Islamic currents’ activities in Kurdistan function as mediator conditions. To encounter the factors mentioned above, the members use strategies such as a convergence and action in the framework of the constitution, differentiation from other groups and Islamic currents. Also, the results showed that taking political actions among the organization’s members can be grouped under three heading: new traditionalism, moderate modernism, and modernism.