Abstrakt
The article deals with the various aspects of understanding the concept of civil society in Iran, outlines the process of civil society's development during Khatami's presidency, as well as in the post-Khatami era. It draws parallels between the Iranian civil society struggles and the civil society movements in Central and Eastern Europe and briefly describes Abdolkarim Soroush and his vision of open society.
Considering a long history of struggle towards the establishment of diverse forms of civil society in Iran, the article rises question why the civil society provokes such a passionate discussion within the Iranian society.