Faramarz's Latest Rambling
Can you envision a democratic Iran?!
25-Oct-2009
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.
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Well...
by Shah.Heir on Mon Oct 26, 2009 04:57 AM PDTfrom a safe comfortable seat in the States it is alot easier to "imagine". I recently made a rather insulting remark to a former Iranian Diplomat about his "imagining" (prior to reading his bio ofcourse). However, with that said yes. Although, seeing the utter chaos, even many in the so called "educated class" act like a poor rooh a$$ it quickly becomes a task one would rather just flee and leave. As Iranians I think first we have to learn it is not okay to abuse and use people. A friend of the family recently had visited and described a grown man describing ripping people off with "eftekhaar" because he is more "zerang". I am not sure exactly how but if given the time and resources I could definately prove the regime is the actual cause of many of the social problems and the ones that havent been introduced by these ass backwards bastids is definately not addressed by them either.
A great model for tolerable democracy
by OmidKarimi on Mon Oct 26, 2009 04:54 AM PDTis actually the scandinavian countries like Norway for example. Tolerance for each others views are amazing in such countries, Iranians have lots to learn from that.
I believe also its because we have ego's the size of mountains and we love to argue just for the sense of it, its in our nature sadly, but other cultures have these issues as well, try debating politics between two Italians and watch the fireworks.
But yes, at the end, I imagine Iran having the same democratic system like Turkey.
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Sadly I have no hope for
by Shepesh on Sun Oct 25, 2009 07:21 PM PDTSadly I have no hope for Democracy. We have a new culture of brain washed people who concentrate on external enemies instead of wanting to improve Iranian culture and values. Those that are brave ebough to speak out in Iran are arrested and imprisoned. Now that US and UN have appeased Ahmadinejad I have even less hope. They have not used Human Rights issues in negotiations. The regime will get more aggressive as it thinks that they can do whatever they like and the world will accept it. The situation is getting worse every day, rediculous sentences given out to inocent people, more abuse by the judiciary, murderers of innocent people walking free. Anyone, including Karroubi, is in danger if they speak out. If he is not safe do you really think the ordinary man is safe? Even families of those detained are arrested while holding prayer meetings. it is chaos.
The UN has written a dossier / report on Human Rights abuse in Iran but I doubt if anything will follow. Many people have lost family who fought for Iran in wars, gladly giving their lives for their country. But this is not what they fought for.