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Both scholars and policy-makers alike are still trying to appreciate
the unexpected revolutionary transformation in Iran. This article is an attempt to explain the Islamic revolution of Iran, using Charles Tilly's
resource mobilization model. The basic framework juxtaposes "causal explanation ", which traces the impact of long-term structural forces,
with" purposive explanation ", the focus of which is rational and conscious collective action. The former deals with state-building and
modernization processes as the major structural change which paved the way for the emergence of contending groups claiming power. The latter
analyzes the mobilization of key challengers which include the clergy, intelligentsia, modern middle class, bazaar, and the industrial working
class. Moreover, we will test the explanatory power of the resource mobilization paradigm, and try to make the needed modifications in order to be attentive to the peculiarities of the Islamic revolution