Alawites are actually crypto-Christians in origin. They celebrate a form of mass, believe in a Trinity and have other beliefs that indicate they must have originated as Christians who tried to hide their beliefs under the Fatimids and took on the exterior look of Muslims. Later they associated with Shias as Shia allow a lot of flexibility in beliefs — REALLY! Shia Iran is a lot more flexible than Sunni Saudia or Pakistan or other Sunni places
Shia Iran is not flexible about sustaining control. They will never share power. They will never allow Democracy to exist.
They may allow the illusion of freedom, but will never actually tolerate it.