Similar to religious radicalism, political radicalism was
spurred by pervasive social tension. This radicalism affected
the intelligentsia, the modern middle class, the ulama,
and the more conservative, traditional middle class. Leading
this movement were two prominent figures: Ali Shariati
and Khomeini. Shariati, who died in 1977, was considered
by many to be the true ideologue of the Islamic
Revolution. As a French-educated social scientist, Shariati
was highly influential among college and high school students.
Khomeini, in turn, grew in stature upon his exile
in 1963 and became the leader of the revolution. In addition,
Khomeini was the faqih (Islamic jurist) who created