Captive society: the Basij militia and paramilitarization of Iranian society

Iran's Basij Resistance Force is a paramilitary organisation used by the regime to suppress dissidents, vote as a bloc, and indoctrinate Iranian citizens.

This text surveys the Basij's history, structure, and sociology, as well as its influence on Iranian society, its economy, and its educational system, drawing not only on published materials, but also on Saeid Golkar's own informal communications with Basij members while studying and teaching in Iranian universities.