I think the late Shah was a patriot with progressive intentions for Iran. There were also challenges and concerns. While the country was being thrusted forward economically and industrially, there was lingering cultural destitute after the Qajar era. There was great dichotomy. From the one hand, there was advancement for women’s right and their freedom to excel, from the other there were large swaths of society deeply religious clad in Islamic hijab. From the one hand, there was civil society and political discourse, from the other some considered any liberal idea as foreign, non-Islamic and damaging. There was also good amount of idol-making culture perhaps responsible for moving to a single party system. At the same time, large portions of society were religious, easily influenced by the clerics and often looked to them for leadership; few still do! Great many had a romantic relationship with an “Islamic state” and often fancied it as a “just” state. For his part, the Shah was pushing the nation toward the gates of his vision of “great civilization”. Some time and understanding was needed to ”synchronize” society and have good reforms, which would have had better results, certainly less bloody and painful.
The Islamic revolution was always doomed to be a resounding failure. This was always clear to those who could perceive the duplicity, manipulations and machinations of its clerical clan. It was founded in outdated ideas, was using violence and vengeance, and employing a heavy dose of outright lies and propaganda to achieve its ends. To it, its ends justified any means. There are documents that the number of political prisoners (mostly radical clerics and armed leftists) were heavily exaggerated; as were those killed in demonstrations ( only 603 instead of 60000). There are even reports that mullahs had shooters on roof tops to shoot the demonstrators to create more emotions and sympathy. Then of course was cinema Rex fire massacre organized by Khamenei at Khomeini’s behest. So the writing was on the wall all along. Then came the summary execution of thousands of great patriots and bright minds by the Islamic republic‘s executioners. With such vast repression and bloody path it would very difficult to argue for improvement under Islamic republic. Not only is it many times worse than Pahlavi era, the Islamic republic will be remembered as Khmer Rouge of Iran.
Although painful, the Islamic revolution and state has helped people of Iran grow culturally, politically and ideologically. They no longer espouse outdated ideas as a way of life, they respect civil society and secular governance, and the prejudice which was breathed into them from the pulpit for centuries has been all but blotted out. While it could be argued that it may have been possible to arrive here through reforms, there is little point in speculation. Onward and forward! We are here now. And for the first time in centuries, we are here as a united nation, we are here with many scars but stronger, and we are here with great hope. And the future belongs to those who give the next generation reasons to hope.
The Islamic revolution was always doomed to be a resounding failure. This was always clear to those who could perceive the duplicity, manipulations and machinations of its clerical clan. It was founded in outdated ideas, was using violence and vengeance, and employing a heavy dose of outright lies and propaganda to achieve its ends. To it, its ends justified any means. There are documents that the number of political prisoners (mostly radical clerics and armed leftists) were heavily exaggerated; as were those killed in demonstrations ( only 603 instead of 60000). There are even reports that mullahs had shooters on roof tops to shoot the demonstrators to create more emotions and sympathy. Then of course was cinema Rex fire massacre organized by Khamenei at Khomeini’s behest. So the writing was on the wall all along. Then came the summary execution of thousands of great patriots and bright minds by the Islamic republic‘s executioners. With such vast repression and bloody path it would very difficult to argue for improvement under Islamic republic. Not only is it many times worse than Pahlavi era, the Islamic republic will be remembered as Khmer Rouge of Iran.
Although painful, the Islamic revolution and state has helped people of Iran grow culturally, politically and ideologically. They no longer espouse outdated ideas as a way of life, they respect civil society and secular governance, and the prejudice which was breathed into them from the pulpit for centuries has been all but blotted out. While it could be argued that it may have been possible to arrive here through reforms, there is little point in speculation. Onward and forward! We are here now. And for the first time in centuries, we are here as a united nation, we are here with many scars but stronger, and we are here with great hope. And the future belongs to those who give the next generation reasons to hope.
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IEI, tajrish and Zob Ahan
We had political discourse under Shah?!!! Meehandoust jan you seem like a fair minded person; can you really type that in good conscience?!! That only 600 people died in 57 and those were shot by mullah shooters? That we didn’t have political prisoners other than armed terrorists? That we had free press and freedom of expression? That there was not political repression? That Savak wasn’t using torture?
On one hand you cite one of the shortcomings of our pre-revolution society as the tendency to make idols, on the other here we are making an idol out of Shah, doing all sorts of acrobatics to avoid calling him out on his mistakes and atrocities. On one hand we are disgusted at journalists whitewashing the atrocities of the IR, but have no problem doing the same with Pahlavi regime’s documented mistakes and crimes.
People who want a return of monarchy to Iran (this includes RP who obviously has that ambition) need to stop hanging their hat on the monstrosity of the Islamic Republic to gain credit for the old regime. They are well advised to show some objectivity and political honesty and own the mistakes of Shah’s regime. Time is ripe for people to forget and forgive and move past that, but not if they are acting as if nothing happened and everything was rosy!!
On one hand you cite one of the shortcomings of our pre-revolution society as the tendency to make idols, on the other here we are making an idol out of Shah, doing all sorts of acrobatics to avoid calling him out on his mistakes and atrocities. On one hand we are disgusted at journalists whitewashing the atrocities of the IR, but have no problem doing the same with Pahlavi regime’s documented mistakes and crimes.
People who want a return of monarchy to Iran (this includes RP who obviously has that ambition) need to stop hanging their hat on the monstrosity of the Islamic Republic to gain credit for the old regime. They are well advised to show some objectivity and political honesty and own the mistakes of Shah’s regime. Time is ripe for people to forget and forgive and move past that, but not if they are acting as if nothing happened and everything was rosy!!
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spinhead and homaie
Few historical facts about Pahlavi dynasty:
Reza Shah:
To counterbalance British and Soviet influence, Reza Shah encouraged German commercial enterprise in Iran. On the eve of World War II, Germany was Iran's largest trading partner. So he was an ally of Nazi Germany.
By 28–29 August 19 1941, the Iranian military situation was in complete chaos. The Allies had complete control over the skies of Iran, and large sections of the country were in their hands. Major Iranian cities (such as Tehran) were suffering repeated air raids. In Tehran itself, the casualties had been light, but the Soviet Air Force dropped leaflets over city, warning the population of an upcoming massive bombing raid and urging them to surrender before they suffered imminent destruction. Tehran's water and food supply had faced shortages, and soldiers fled in fear of the Soviets killing them upon capture. Faced with total collapse, the royal family (except the Shah and the Crown Prince) fled to Isfahan.
Reza Shah was forced by the invading British to abdicate in favor of his son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi who replaced his father as Shah on the throne on 16 September 1941.
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi:
Iran was a demcoctactic contry unti 1953. Mossadegh told Shah not to interfere with day to day politics. But he did not listen.
until Mossadegh government was overthrown in the 1953 Iranian coup d'état orchestrated by the intelligence agencies of the United Kingdom (MI6) and the United States (CIA). Before its removal from power, Mossadegh administration introduced a range of social and political measures such as social security, land reforms and higher taxes including the introduction of taxation on the rent of land. His government's most significant policy was the nationalization of the Iranian oil industry, which had been built by the British on Persian lands since 1913 through the Anglo-Persian Oil Company
In the aftermath of the overthrow, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi returned to power, and negotiated the Consortium Agreement of 1954 with the British, which gave split ownership of Iranian oil production between Iran and western companies until 1979.
Mohammad Reza introduced the White Revolution, a series of economic, social, and political reforms aimed at transforming Iran into a global power and modernizing the nation by nationalizing key industries and land redistribution. He was told by Kennedy to do the reforms after removal of Mossadegh and Left politics during those dates.
His biggest mistake was to create one party Rastakiez that eliminated other political parties. In addition, elemination all secular groups including liberals. Religious groups could gather in Masjeds and eventually took power.
It seems to me the young generation of Iran want Freedom and are more progressive than older generations.
Reza Shah:
To counterbalance British and Soviet influence, Reza Shah encouraged German commercial enterprise in Iran. On the eve of World War II, Germany was Iran's largest trading partner. So he was an ally of Nazi Germany.
By 28–29 August 19 1941, the Iranian military situation was in complete chaos. The Allies had complete control over the skies of Iran, and large sections of the country were in their hands. Major Iranian cities (such as Tehran) were suffering repeated air raids. In Tehran itself, the casualties had been light, but the Soviet Air Force dropped leaflets over city, warning the population of an upcoming massive bombing raid and urging them to surrender before they suffered imminent destruction. Tehran's water and food supply had faced shortages, and soldiers fled in fear of the Soviets killing them upon capture. Faced with total collapse, the royal family (except the Shah and the Crown Prince) fled to Isfahan.
Reza Shah was forced by the invading British to abdicate in favor of his son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi who replaced his father as Shah on the throne on 16 September 1941.
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi:
Iran was a demcoctactic contry unti 1953. Mossadegh told Shah not to interfere with day to day politics. But he did not listen.
until Mossadegh government was overthrown in the 1953 Iranian coup d'état orchestrated by the intelligence agencies of the United Kingdom (MI6) and the United States (CIA). Before its removal from power, Mossadegh administration introduced a range of social and political measures such as social security, land reforms and higher taxes including the introduction of taxation on the rent of land. His government's most significant policy was the nationalization of the Iranian oil industry, which had been built by the British on Persian lands since 1913 through the Anglo-Persian Oil Company
In the aftermath of the overthrow, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi returned to power, and negotiated the Consortium Agreement of 1954 with the British, which gave split ownership of Iranian oil production between Iran and western companies until 1979.
Mohammad Reza introduced the White Revolution, a series of economic, social, and political reforms aimed at transforming Iran into a global power and modernizing the nation by nationalizing key industries and land redistribution. He was told by Kennedy to do the reforms after removal of Mossadegh and Left politics during those dates.
His biggest mistake was to create one party Rastakiez that eliminated other political parties. In addition, elemination all secular groups including liberals. Religious groups could gather in Masjeds and eventually took power.
It seems to me the young generation of Iran want Freedom and are more progressive than older generations.
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spinhead
We want a leader to be elected by people and can't be in power forever. But the obstacle has not overcome yet. I can't give a percentage but this revolution or whatever you want to call it but we are on the onset and a long battle lies ahead both abroad and inside. So unity unity unity.
Long live Iran and Iranians
Long live Iran and Iranians
I was speaking more about the overall perception of the times as opposed to minute details. And I have seen documentaries about the numbers of political prisoners and killed in demonstrations being heavily exaggerated. There are also reports that some (not all) of those killed were by the clerics’ shooters. Considering cinema Rex, frankly those actions are consistent with the behaviour of the mullahs. Of course any number is not good, and certainly there were shortcomings but there seems to be a growing number of people who think reform would have worked better then, including relatives of IR’s elements themselves. While there were shortcomings, the consensus seems to be that the late Shah will be remembered positively by posterity.
The same cannot be said about the Islamic republic. It has definitely been a set back, politically, culturally, economically, and most definitely in terms of human rights and women’s rights. From its birth and the summary vigilante style executions, to its treatment of political dissidents, various minorities, labour organizations, student groups, and even the international community, the Islamic republic has treated everyone with contempt and impunity. It has shown no flexibility for change or appetite for reform. It has basically replaced the Shah with even a more rigid dictator with heavier multi-layered security apparatus. Although the nation has managed to still grow culturally which is on full display during recent events.
As for Reza Pahlavi, I personally like his ideas and his approach, but don’t sense ambitions of dictatorship from him. In fact perhaps it seems the opposite, as he frequently tries hard to moderate his supporters’ expectations. More importantly, the people of Iran these days are much more advanced culturally, politically and socially and will not tolerate another dictator. That’s why I’m confident when the Islamic republic is no more, natural political discourse will prevail and Iranians will choose the form of governance that speaks to them. Whatever it is, the will of the majority of people will be good because so much suffering has brought meaningful growth and maturity.
Honestly, the system is not as important as the process. As long as the constitution is good and has a good process for change and progress, the future will be bright. Other than being secular and all-inclusive, it must contain legal ways of even changing itself and the system with time. Let’s say 200 years from now if people want to change the system, there has to be ways within the system to allow for a peaceful transition of power. Peaceful assembly, political discourse and consultations, transparency, free press, free elections and the likes are a must. This is why our energy will be better spent by focusing on the future.
The same cannot be said about the Islamic republic. It has definitely been a set back, politically, culturally, economically, and most definitely in terms of human rights and women’s rights. From its birth and the summary vigilante style executions, to its treatment of political dissidents, various minorities, labour organizations, student groups, and even the international community, the Islamic republic has treated everyone with contempt and impunity. It has shown no flexibility for change or appetite for reform. It has basically replaced the Shah with even a more rigid dictator with heavier multi-layered security apparatus. Although the nation has managed to still grow culturally which is on full display during recent events.
As for Reza Pahlavi, I personally like his ideas and his approach, but don’t sense ambitions of dictatorship from him. In fact perhaps it seems the opposite, as he frequently tries hard to moderate his supporters’ expectations. More importantly, the people of Iran these days are much more advanced culturally, politically and socially and will not tolerate another dictator. That’s why I’m confident when the Islamic republic is no more, natural political discourse will prevail and Iranians will choose the form of governance that speaks to them. Whatever it is, the will of the majority of people will be good because so much suffering has brought meaningful growth and maturity.
Honestly, the system is not as important as the process. As long as the constitution is good and has a good process for change and progress, the future will be bright. Other than being secular and all-inclusive, it must contain legal ways of even changing itself and the system with time. Let’s say 200 years from now if people want to change the system, there has to be ways within the system to allow for a peaceful transition of power. Peaceful assembly, political discourse and consultations, transparency, free press, free elections and the likes are a must. This is why our energy will be better spent by focusing on the future.
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Every day, Abdollahian, foreign minister of the Islamic republic reminds me more and more of Muhammad Saeed Al-Sahhaf, the Iraqi information, or rather misinformation minister!! He continued to talk about “slaughtering the enemy” just as the American forces were going through the gates of Baghdad!
Be it the nuclear deal or the demonstrations, Abdollahian seems to live in a parallel universe the reality of which is only a figment of his imagination!!
Be it the nuclear deal or the demonstrations, Abdollahian seems to live in a parallel universe the reality of which is only a figment of his imagination!!
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rahim