Indicators of Political Suppression in Fragile Democracies: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and analyze key indicators of political suppression as experienced by civil society actors within the institutional framework of a fragile democracy, using Iran as a case study. The research employed a qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with 14 purposefully selected participants residing in Tehran, including activists, journalists, students, and former political candidates. The participants were chosen based on their direct involvement in political or civic engagement. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation was reached. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis supported by NVivo software. Open, axial, and selective coding techniques were used to extract and organize emergent themes, with particular attention to institutional, social, and psychological dimensions of suppression. Three major themes were identified: restrictive institutional practices, psychological and social intimidation, and suppression of collective action. Within these themes, key subthemes emerged, such as legal manipulation, electoral obstruction, misuse of the judiciary and security forces, social isolation mechanisms, and the criminalization of protest. Participants described experiences of legal harassment, surveillance, reputational attacks, and targeted economic repression. The suppression was often embedded in administrative and legal procedures, creating a “plausible” yet coercive framework for political control. Interviewees also highlighted the emotional toll of living under constant political pressure, which included fear, disillusionment, and self-censorship. The findings underscore how fragile democracies suppress political participation through legally sanctioned yet fundamentally repressive mechanisms. By documenting firsthand experiences of suppression, the study reveals the nuanced and systemic ways in which democratic processes are undermined. These insights offer both theoretical and practical implications for identifying and addressing political repression in hybrid regimes worldwide.