Findings of this research have been compiled in three parts. Part one has been devoted to theoretical discussions. In the first chapter I have explained various approaches in the field of Youth Studies, namely demography, physiology, psychology, sociology and cultural studies. The second chapter has considered political behavior and some related subjects such as levels and motivations of political participation, and different explanations of political behavior, including environmental, instrumental, personality, personal traits and political socialization approaches. In the third chapter, political socialization approach has been discussed in detail. A model of political socialization has been presented in this chapter, while the main explanatory elements of the other approaches has been allowed in the model.

Part two includes various discussions regarding young people's political behavior in other countries around the world. Findings of this part indicate that young people in established democracies are increasingly withdrawing from parties and electoral processes and turn to new politics. In transitional political systems, if young people identify with the system, they will be avant-gardes in supporting it, but if they feel alienated from the system, then they may pursue two options. In this case, if they consider themselves powerless regarding the system, they will turn to apathy, but when they feel that they can be influential, will show high I levels of political activity. Participation of youth in elections and parties, unconventional ways of political participation (including new social movements and cultural tanns of political expression) and youth political subcultures as a ma.jor unconventional form of political expression, has been discussed in this part.

Part three has developed various discussions about young peoples political behavior in Iran. Findings of this part indicate that contemporary Iranian young people feel alienated from the system to a great extent and this is aggravated by the discontinuities in the cun-ent political socialization process. The only point that has been changed after Khordad 2, 1997 (when Khatami was elected as president) is that the sense of powerlessness has been decreased. In chapter seven, some demographical characteristics of Iral1ian youth have been presented and five phases have been identified for the study of Iranian youth's political behavior. In chapter eight, political socialization after Islamic Revolution has been considered, while chapter 9 are devoted to the examination of young people's political attitudes, opinions and values. Electoral behavior of young people in three major elections has been analyzed in chapter 10, while in the last chapter, the relationship between young people and political parties and groups has been considered.

 young peoples, political behavior, political socialization, political alienation, elections .