The Role of Political Culture in Political Participation: (A Case Study of Veterans, Released War Prisoners, and Martyrs’ Families in Tehran)

Introduction
Political participation is a key indicator of political development and state legitimacy. In ideologically-based systems, legitimacy depends not only on institutional performance but also on cultural and identity bonds between the state and society. Declining participation, especially among previously loyal groups, signals a possible rupture in foundational legitimacy. In Iran, martyrs' and veterans' families have long symbolized revolutionary political culture. However, generational shifts and social changes have altered the political attitudes of their children, requiring closer examination. Political culture, defined as beliefs and values about politics and authority, varies across democratic and authoritarian discourses. The current generation of veterans' descendants has been exposed to diverse sociopolitical influences, potentially redefining their political identity. Thus, this study seeks to determine the dominant political culture among them and assess whether it aligns more closely with democratic or authoritarian paradigms. Understanding how these discourses shape participation is essential for informed cultural and political policy-making.
 
Methodology
This study employs a quantitative research design to explore the relationship between political culture and political participation. The concepts were operationalized through measurable indicators, and a structured questionnaire was developed covering multiple dimensions of political culture and participation. A stratified sampling method was used to ensure demographic representation across 14 municipal districts in Tehran. The final sample consisted of 1,600 individuals from martyrs' and veterans' families, selected based on Cochran's formula for confidence level and error margin. Data were collected via in-person surveys at Veterans Foundations and analyzed using statistical methods to test correlations between variables. The quantitative approach ensured measurement accuracy and generalizability of findings across the target population.
 
Findings
The study identifies democratic political culture as the dominant discourse among participants, especially those with higher education and younger age. This group expressed support for participation as a civic and religious duty, but also voiced skepticism about politics’ morality and efficacy. Discourses of democracy and religious democracy gained the highest support, while authoritarian and purely religious rule had limited appeal. Variables such as age, education level, ethnicity, marital status, and employment significantly influenced both political culture and forms of participation. Political engagement manifested in diverse ways—from media consumption and discussions to electoral participation and interaction with officials. Democratic discourse correlated positively with higher levels and more diverse forms of participation. However, a notable segment viewed politics as ineffective or unethical, posing risks for future participation. Generational analysis revealed that older respondents aligned more with duty-based participation, while the youth displayed both critical distance and willingness for voluntary involvement. Ethnic and occupational differences further shaped patterns of political behavior and attitudes toward power and authority.
 
Conclusion
This study concludes that political participation among veterans’ families in Iran is profoundly shaped by their underlying political culture. While the first generation of these groups demonstrated a duty-oriented and loyal engagement with the political system, the second generation exhibits different expectations grounded in evolving socio-political realities. The empirical findings highlight a marked predominance of democratic and civic-oriented discourses among younger participants. Simultaneously, there is a noticeable erosion of legitimacy for authoritarian and non-participatory forms of governance. This generational transition underscores an urgent need for the state to implement trust-building mechanisms that align with modern norms of accountability, responsiveness, and inclusivity. Negative perceptions of politics—particularly those framing it as immoral or ineffective—suggest that without structural and cultural reform, political disengagement may intensify. Sustainable political engagement in this context must therefore be grounded in internalized democratic values, critical political consciousness, and institutional reliability. Policymakers should adopt differentiated strategies sensitive to generational, ethnic, and class-based variations to effectively cultivate participatory norms. Ultimately, the preservation of political legitimacy in the Islamic Republic hinges on revitalizing an inclusive and dynamic political culture among those traditionally seen as pillars of regime support.