Mendeley TY _ JOUR ID - 1404021550157 TI - Social Consequences of Inflation; An Analysis of Iranian Twitter Users’ Experience JO - Research of deviance and social problems JA - ES LA - fa SN - 3060-821X AU - shekardoost Abbasali AU - Maghsoodi Soodeh AU - Garousi Saideh AD - دانشیار ،بخش علوم اجتماعی،دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی،دانشگاه شهید باهنر کرمان،کرمان ،ایران AD - دانشجو دکتری، گروه علوم اجتماعی، دانشکدۀ ادبیات و علوم انسانی، دانشگاه شهید باهنرکرمان، کرمان، ایران AD - استاد ،بخش علوم اجتماعی،دانشکده ادبیات و علوم انسانی،دانشگاه شهید باهنر کرمان،کرمان ،ایران Y1 - 2025 PY - 2025 VL - 14 IS - SP - 63 EP - 93 KW - Iran KW - inflation KW - social consequences KW - social dissatisfaction KW - Twitter social network. DO - N2 -

Social Consequences of Inflation; Analyzing the Experiences of Iranian Twitter Users[1]

 

Abbasali Shekardoost*
Soodeh Maghsoodi **
Saideh Garousi***

 

Chronic and persistent inflation in Iran has emerged as a pivotal factor driving profound social transformations. The social network Twitter, as a reflection of lived experiences, mirrors the multifaceted impacts of inflation on social structures. This study examines the social consequences of inflation through the lens of Iranian users’ discourse on Twitter, employing a qualitative approach and the conventional content analysis method of Hsieh and Shannon (2005). The data comprised 260 tweets related to the social consequences of inflation, which were coded, categorized, and analyzed using MAXQDA 18 software. The findings indicate that inflation, through multilayered economic pressures, gives rise to three primary categories of social consequences: transformation and widening of social stratification, eruption of social discontent, and social disintegration. In the first category, inflation has reshaped traditional social stratification by fostering modern class conflicts, manifested as class downward mobility, polarization, and the emergence of an urban landed class. The second category emphasizes institutionalized despair, the legitimization of protests, and strategic migration as survival strategies. This despair has shaped the collective mindset of Iranians, fostering widespread distrust in governmental institutions and paving the way for protest movements and elite emigration. The third category reflects a decline in social cohesion, widening generational gaps, increasing social inequalities, and diminishing social capital, all of which undermine societal resilience against crises. The results suggest that Iranian society faces not only a scarcity of economic resources but also a deficit of social hope, with migration as a long-term “salvation project” signaling an erosion of optimism for domestic improvement.

 

Keywords: Iran, inflation, social consequences, social dissatisfaction, Twitter social network.

 

Introduction

Inflation represents one of the most significant macroeconomic challenges, particularly prevalent in developing countries. In recent years, Iran’s economy has been profoundly affected by this issue, with inflation becoming a persistent characteristic of the economic system and a critical crisis in people’s lives. According to official statistics, the point-to-point inflation rate reached 38.9% in April 2025, indicating a substantial increase in household expenses (Statistical Center of Iran). This phenomenon extends beyond mere material wealth reduction, altering individuals’ perceptions of social realities. The instability of the national currency has engendered livelihood anxieties, distrust in economic structures, and a relentless struggle for survival. The erosion of purchasing power, lifestyle changes among vulnerable groups, increased pressure on the elderly, and diminished psychological well-being are among the significant consequences of inflation. In the long term, this trend may lead to inequitable wealth distribution and a decline in quality of life, necessitating a deeper examination of inflation’s social impacts (Béland et al., 2024; Tavakolian et al., 2018). Nowadays, social networks such as Twitter, particularly in Iran, provide an effective platform for monitoring and analyzing inflation’s consequences (Findawati et al., 2023; Muñoz-Martínez et al., 2023). Twitter is recognized as a vital tool for gauging public sentiment toward inflation, with recent studies demonstrating that inflation expectations can be accurately measured through its data (Muñoz-Martínez et al., 2023). However, field research on the social impacts of inflation within Iran’s virtual space remains underexplored, requiring both qualitative and quantitative studies for a comprehensive understanding (Iman & Nooshadi, 2011). Therefore, this study aims to investigate the social consequences of inflation from the perspective of Iranian Twitter users, addressing the question: “What are the most significant social consequences of inflation according to Iranian Twitter users?” The findings can contribute to formulating practical and effective strategies to mitigate inflation’s adverse effects.

 

Methodology

This study was conducted to explore the social consequences of inflation through the discourse of Iranian users on the Twitter social network. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing conventional content analysis based on the framework of Hsieh and Shannon (2005). The data consisted of 260 tweets related to the social consequences of inflation, systematically coded, categorized, and analyzed using MAXQDA version 18 software. This analytical process facilitated the identification of key themes and concepts concerning inflation’s social impacts in the virtual space, presenting the researchers’ interpretations within a rigorous and evidence-based framework (Iman & Nooshadi, 2011).

 

Findings

The findings reveal that inflation, through multilayered economic pressures, results in three primary categories of social consequences: transformation and widening of social stratification, eruption of social discontent, and social disintegration. In the first category, inflation has fundamentally transformed the traditional structure of social stratification by fostering modern class conflicts, manifested as class downward mobility, polarization, and the emergence of an urban landed class. These changes have redefined the class system and deepened social divides (Sachan, 2024; Rashidi, 2015).

The second category underscores institutionalized despair within society, the legitimization of popular protests, and the adoption of strategic migration as survival strategies. This despair has shaped the collective mindset of Iranians, intensifying widespread distrust in governmental institutions and creating conditions conducive to protest movements and elite emigration (Sardarnia & Alborzi, 2022; Hosseinzadeh, 2024).

The third category reflects a decline in social cohesion, widening generational gaps, increasing social inequalities, and diminishing social capital, all of which have weakened societal resilience against economic and social crises (Guriev & Melnikov, 2016; Delaviz et al., 2020). These results indicate that inflation acts not only as an economic crisis but also as a determinant of structural and psychological changes in Iranian society, necessitating comprehensive policy approaches to mitigate its social consequences.

 

Discussion and Conclusion

Inflation in Iran has transcended its role as a mere economic phenomenon or price fluctuation, emerging as a structural factor driving profound social transformations. The findings of this study indicate that the social consequences of inflation, as perceived by Iranian Twitter users, can be categorized into three primary themes: transformation and widening of the social stratification system, eruption of social dissatisfaction, and social disintegration.

The transformation and widening of the social stratification system reflect a redefinition and increased complexity of inequalities. Inflation, by eroding wage values, depleting savings, and exacerbating disparities in access to economic resources, has pushed the middle class toward poverty and facilitated the emergence of a new urban landed class. This phenomenon aligns with the concept of “proletarianization” described by McKinlay and Arches (1985) and signifies the collapse of traditional class balances in Iran. Modern class conflicts are increasingly rooted in disparities in access to inflation-protective mechanisms (e.g., investments in financial and non-financial assets) rather than solely income differences. These findings align with prior research (Mehrbani, 2010; Ghaderi et al., 2022; Karimi et al., 2023).

The eruption of social dissatisfaction, as the second major consequence, stems from institutionalized hopelessness, the legitimacy of social protests, and increased strategic migration. Chronic inflation and ineffective economic policies have undermined public trust in the political system, creating conditions that legitimize street protests and social movements. These dynamics can be explained through Durkheim’s theory of anomie (Nayebi et al., 2017) and Charles Tilly’s resource mobilization theory (Bahranipour et al., 2019). Moreover, migration, as a purposeful rational action, reflects distrust in domestic improvement and a pursuit of better opportunities abroad, consistent with Max Weber’s rational choice theory (Javadi Yeganeh, 2008; Rahmatollahi, 2003). These findings are corroborated by domestic and international studies, including those by Keshavarz (2023), Sardarnia and Alborzi (2022), Heydari and Torkan (2025), Zhdanov and Korotaev (2024), and Rocha et al. (2020).

Social disintegration, the third significant consequence, encompasses reduced social cohesion, widening generational gaps, increased social inequalities, and declining social capital. Inflation has replaced social cooperation with competition over scarce resources. Generational divides have intensified due to differences in experiences and asset ownership, with younger generations without assets facing greater pressure, leading to generational conflicts and injustice, consistent with Mannheim’s and Bourdieu’s theories (Tavakkol & Ghazinajad, 2006). Furthermore, inequalities in access to public services have adversely affected the quality of life for low-income groups. Coupled with declining social capital, trust and collective cooperation have been significantly weakened, reducing society’s capacity to address crises (Ryff & Keyes, 1995). These trends align with studies by Heydarian Boroujeni (2022), Afrasiabi and Baharlooi (2019), Baoosh et al. (2017), and Putnam’s social capital theory (Delaviz et al., 2020).

In conclusion, this study underscores the structural role of inflation in driving profound social changes in Iran. Inflation has not only precipitated an economic crisis but also a social crisis by altering class patterns, amplifying dissatisfaction and protests, and undermining social cohesion and capital. Addressing inflation’s consequences thus requires more than economic policies alone; it demands comprehensive social and political strategies to manage and mitigate these gaps and crises.

 

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[1]. This article is extracted from the PhD dissertation in Sociology entitled "A Sociological Analysis of Iranian Users' Tweets on the Experience of Inflation in Everyday Life," from Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman.

* Ph.D Student, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.

Abbasali.shekardoost1372@ens.uk.ac.ir

** Corresponding Author: Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.

smaghsoodi@uk.ac.ir

*** Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.

sgarousi@uk.ac.ir

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