Democracy requires rule of law and tolerance.  2 things that are greatly missing in Iranian society and culture.

So without these prerequisites can democracy coalesce, survive and prosper in Iran?

Look at the blogsphere of i.com.  Anytime a discussion is about anything other than food, discussion and responses turn hostile with lots of name callings, personal attacks, strong opinions, one sided views etc etc.

When I talk to friends and family in Iran, they say the same thing goes on in Iran.  Apparently you rarely see informal debates that end peacefully. Sort of the same thing as what we see here.  During formal debates, due to presence of security forces, fights normally don't break out.  But outside these venues, people get into fights.

I wonder what is the interim step before establishment of democracy.