Gearing up for change in Iran

Rulers in Iran have only themselves to blame

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Gearing up for change in Iran
by Jalal Alavi
21-Jan-2011
 

One word alone can explain why, in 1979, Iranians from all walks of life took to the streets of Tehran and other major Iranian cities to take part in what later became known as the Islamic Revolution: Freedom, that is to say, freedom from the chains of an autocratic regime that had, for so long, undermined their attempts at democratization at both the political and economic levels.

Thirty-two years have now passed since that dramatic event, and it is quite clear that Iranians, both at home and abroad, are very much divided as to the worth of the 1979 revolution.

While a large segment of the Iranian population has, as a result of the Islamic Republic’s utter disrespect for human rights and gross mismanagement of the Iranian economy and politics, reached the conclusion that the revolution was a big mistake, many others have refused to judge the past through the prism of the present, consequently advocating a deeper, more dialectical understanding of what took place in 1979.

Whatever views exist, though, as to the usefulness of the 1979 revolution, one thing is for certain: discontented Iranians the world over are actively seeking ways of promoting fundamental change in Iran through efforts of often a grassroots nature, including, perhaps, the possibility of yet another revolution [1].

Of course, the existence of this sort of attitude on the part of the majority of Iranians inside Iran has instilled much fear in the hearts and minds of the ruling elite in Iran, a clear indication of which is the Intelligence Ministry’s often paranoid behavior towards activists, former politicians, ethnic and religious minorities, and civil society organizations (e.g., trade unions), which has so far led to many politically motivated executions and incarcerations.

But the rulers in Iran have only themselves to blame for the emergence of such an attitude among so many ordinary Iranians, simply because they have refused, to this very day, to acknowledge the fact that the country’s governing institutions, similar to its natural resources, are the sole property of its people and, therefore, are not to be exploited for personal or factional gains.

Were they to acknowledge, and thus act upon, this fact in a manner conducive to real national unity, they would find discontented Iranians quite forgiving, and Iran would surely be able to recover from its weak position on the world stage in a matter of only a few short years.

Judging from their past behavior, however, they will not be so rational as to do this; therefore, requiring the opposition to renew its commitment to the struggle for a democratic Iran in ways that are bolder than before.

So far, individual acts of resistance have done a good job of keeping the spirit of the democratic movement alive throughout the country.

However, these individual acts of courage lack wider national recognition and thus cannot be expected to automatically or on their own lead to any sort of collective action that would be capable of either bringing down the regime or forcing its hardliners to sit around a negotiating table and hammer out the terms of peace and a lasting national reconciliation.

For collective action to occur, the leaders of the opposition must become more proactive in mobilizing the masses.

And, if it is a less violent transition to democracy that they are after, then they should perhaps consider making their moves while Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is still alive, for fear that his replacement might be more hostile to the reform movement than he has ever been [2].

Finally, let us hope that the 32nd anniversary of the Iranian revolution can somehow serve as a platform from which to launch a viable democracy in Iran.

AUTHOR
Jalal Alavi is a sociologist and political commentator specializing in issues related to Iran.

NOTES
1. Former President Mohammad Khatami is also of the opinion these days that Iran might be moving in this direction. See here.

2. Ample evidence suggests that many of the hardliners in Iran are unhappy with Khamenei’s hitherto lax attitude toward the leaders of the Green Movement and are thus anxiously awaiting his departure.

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siavash1000

oh yeah?

by siavash1000 on

Weaking Pahlavi dynasty just make stinky mullahs stronger.  All arrows should be targeting the fascists machine of stinky mullahs at this time. Remaining issue (if any) should be address after we get rid of Islamic criminal gangs and re-establishing monarchy as was the wish of our ancestors for over 5000 years Iran history.

Payandeh our Aryan Land IRAN 

 Long live Crown Reza Pahlavi, the legit king of IRAN


theconstitutionalist

oh yeah?

by theconstitutionalist on

 

Pahlavis are cowards. 

They have my family's blood on their hands.  Innocent blood of young intellectuals.  

But then again, so do the Mullahs.  I hate them even more than Pahlavis and Shahanshahis. 

Imperial cowards and Mullah fascists are one and the same to us. 

Go try your second grade mumbo jumbo some where else.  


sparrowlake

Leaders

by sparrowlake on

"But the rulers in Iran have only themselves to blame for the emergence
of such an attitude among so many ordinary Iranians, simply because they
have refused, to this very day, to acknowledge the fact that the
country’s governing institutions, similar to its natural resources, are
the sole property of its people and, therefore, are not to be exploited
for personal or factional gains"

 

This is a fascist state. They don't believe for one second that the governing institutions belong to the people. Just the opposite. Your whole premise is based on what you believe not what the regime believes.  Fascism has allowed the ruling class to obtain enormous wealth. They will not give it up without a violent struggle  


siavash1000

Crown Reza Pahlavi is only way for democracy

by siavash1000 on

Recent uprising of our people shows the lack of organization among opposition groups. Our students failed to do their ground work within deprived segment of our society. Knowlege is the power and with educating the mass, we can get rid of these dirt bags in a heart beat. Only hoping half breed arab bastards so call "sayyid" such as sayyid Ali Khamanie to be alive is absured. It doesn't get us anywhere. Weight should be given to Persianism or Nationalism. The love for Iran. Stinky mullahs are heading toward dumster of history where they belong to. Educating deprived class of our society expedite that process. Main objective is to overthrown these scum bags and re-built monarchy under leadership of crown Reza Pahlavi. Monarchy or shahanshahi is the political system that our ancestors  choosed and lived under for thousands years.


alx1711

regime change

by alx1711 on

Iran defenetly needs aregime change. A regime change that is non religious, specially Enfocing tazi religion (islam). If you want to be a Muslim well then go live in palstine or pakistan.

Iran needs to change to patch of Ahura and Shahan.


AlexInFlorida

Article has too many false assumptions

by AlexInFlorida on

Shah was not autocratic.

Iranians enjoyed Freedom.

Article is misinformative and skewed, like western media.

They used the Freedom to make a bad choice because the choice itself was no real choice, laced with coercion, deceit and similar disingenuous views as held by this article.

Iran will always have good and loved iranian traditions that are based on freedom and democratic principals.

Good Thought, Good Words, Good Actions.

Javid Shah.