Abbas Milani

On freedom & politics

Abbas Milani is the Hamid and Christina Moghadam Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford University and a visiting professor in the department of political science. In addition, Dr. Milani is a research fellow and co-director of the Iran Democracy Project at the Hoover Institution. His expertise is U.S./Iran relations, Iranian cultural, political, and security issues >>>

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05-Dec-2009
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benross

Pahievan

by benross on

Yes I read previously in a blog, I guess it was Farah Rusta, who mentioned he was supporting a secular democracy in form of republic.

I guess I mis-formulated my comment and it gives the impression that I attributed this stance to Milani. It is mine.

What I meant was even advocating restoration of our current legitimate constitution (until a democratic process for regime choice) does not mean one should be a monarchist. It only relates to the only modern constitutional document our modern history has produced. I don't see any incompatibility between this political goal with Milani political stance, whatever it is. Particularly that his historic vision is outstanding compared to which, a preference between constitutional monarchy or republic to me is an irrelevant issue.


Pahlevan

benross

by Pahlevan on

He is not advocating "restoring constitutional monarchy", he is advocating creation of a secular republic. By the way he was arrested and jailed under the Pahlavi regime for promoting democracy. This guy is a true patriot and a visionary.


I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek

he used to advise reza pahlavi. how embarrassing for him.

by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on

i read his book persian sphinx and i recommend it to you all. he's very intelligent and it must have been hell to sit next to Reza Pahlavi and explain the ABCs of reality for that guy. I don't think he is a monarchist.

also he looks like alex trebek in the old times. 


benross

Excellent

by benross on

Fatollah, you don't need to be a monarchist to support restoring constitutional monarchy. But you probably are right. He will be branded a code name, being monarchist, AIPAC agent, war monger or something!

Which leads to a point I like to make.

Milani sees the Iran's wealth -the oil revenue- in the hands of IRI a major problem on the way of achieving democracy, which nevertheless he rightly sees unavoidable.

I'd say it's not the oil revenue, although having the obvious impact. On the political side, it is dealing with collective guilt of the society. Overcoming it. This is our major task. If you see that old communists all of a sudden have become all Gandhi adepts, preaching 'non violent' civil disobedience, it's not because they suddenly became a bunch of peace lovers. They still spread hate with full force against Reza Pahlavi or anything they feel threatened by (threatened, not because of a reprisal of any kind, but by facing a total bankruptcy of their ideas) . It's because they can't face their collective guilt. And this was understandable at personal level, if they didn't actively act upon it, trying to keep everybody in their guilt ridden despair. When they rationalize 'reform' within IRI, without providing a single tangible road map, they are actively supporting the IRI survival and they should be dealt with as such.


Fatollah

Thanks to Dr. A. Milani

by Fatollah on

I assume, Dr. Miliani soon will be branded as a monarchist !!! :)

 -F


Pahlevan

Thanks Dr. Milani

by Pahlevan on

This is the best analysis of contemporary history of Iran I have heard in a while. Very informative and accurate.


Darius Kadivar

FYI/VOA Doh Roozeh Aval with Abdol Karim Lahidji & IRI Constitut

by Darius Kadivar on

VOA Doh Roozeh Aval with Abdol Karim Lahidji & IRI Constitution:

VOA Doh Roozeh Aval with Abdol Karim Lahidji on the IRI Constitution

Also if interested read my comments in the thread with fellow bloggers in regard to this interesting program and feel free to comment or pursue the debate ...

best,

DK