Exploring the Legal Consciousness of Ethnic Minorities in State Institutions
Keywords:
Legal consciousness, ethnic minorities, state institutions, Iran, workplace discrimination, qualitative research, institutional trustAbstract
This study aims to explore the legal consciousness of ethnic minorities working within state institutions in Tehran, focusing on how they perceive, interpret, and navigate legal norms amid institutional and ethnic challenges. A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interviews with 21 ethnic minority participants employed in various governmental institutions in Tehran. Participants were purposively sampled until theoretical saturation was reached. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using NVivo software to identify key themes and patterns related to legal consciousness. Three main themes emerged from the data: (1) perceptions of legal norms and justice, highlighting a gap between formal legal equality and practical disparities, limited institutional trust, and reliance on informal legal knowledge; (2) navigating ethnic identity in institutions, characterized by identity concealment, workplace discrimination, stereotype resistance, and the role of informal support networks; and (3) coping strategies and legal agency, including strategic compliance, legal adaptation, collective voice, emotional resilience, and external advocacy reliance. Participants expressed ambivalence toward institutional legal frameworks, balancing compliance with subtle resistance. The intersection of ethnic identity and institutional roles created complex experiences of marginalization and agency within bureaucratic power structures. The legal consciousness of ethnic minorities in Iranian state institutions is multifaceted, shaped by experiences of exclusion, institutional distrust, and adaptive strategies. Enhancing institutional transparency, promoting diversity and inclusion, and strengthening complaint mechanisms are vital to improving legal engagement and fostering empowerment among minority employees.
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