These characteristics are not anomalies. They were objectives sought by the revolutionaries of 1979. In that sense, one can argue that at least some of the objectives for which the 1979 revolution was carried out have been realized. While many ordinary people participated in the revolution seeking a better life—the Islamists and leftist groups—who both led the revolution’s political discourse, sought ideological goals that had been pursued by the government that came to power in February 1979. The Islamists were the most successful, as Iran became a major state implementing Sharia law, including gruesome punishments such as stoning and amputation of fingers as well the compulsory veiling of women. The leftists were ultimately eliminated by the Islamists, but many of their ideas, including nationalization of major industries, were adopted by the Islamic Republic in its constitution.
