 Theocracy to Democracy
... in 10 steps
Behshad Hastibakhsh
November 25, 2004
iranian.com
A quarter of century after the 1979 revolution, the
conundrum of Iranian politics is marked by distinct characteristics
that include:
-- Over politicization of society and lack of political
education
-- Cult of personality and the tendency to worship leaders
-- Cult of personality evolves into overconfidence and arrogance
among the ruling few
-- Historic phobia of others results in social intolerance (us
vs. them mentality)
-- Social distrust inside and outside the polity
-- Centralization of power prevents progress in institution building
and weakens civil society
-- Lack of ideology
-- Social polarization between opposing groups
-- Constant political uncertainty
-- Lack of innovative political solution
By identifying the symptoms
and source of political backwardness, it is imperative to present
a political alternative to the current
theocratic regime in Iran. The new political alternative must be
distinct and rich in inclusiveness, tolerance, democratic ideas.
To bring forth change, we have the alternative of
working towards peaceful transition from theocracy to democracy
in ten steps:
1. New Leadership at the Helm of Democratic
Opposition: To break away the vicious circle of historic phobia, social polarization,
and distrust, it is essential to retire the old guard of Iranian
politics with gratitude, and entrust a new breed of Iranians technocrats
with leadership.
2. Realignment of Political Parties: To unify opposition
forces against the ruling theocracy in Iran, we have no choice
other than
converging hundreds of political groups into a handful of moderate
parties. The realignment process requires full adherence and commitment
to multi-party system, tolerance, and secularism.
3. Coalition of Democratic Parties: It is important
to form a coalition of political parties in the spirit of national
reconciliation.
This requires realigned political parties to seize ideological
campaigns, while they maintain distinct institutional structures.
 4. Social Trust: To build the foundation of a healthy
democratic society, it is required to establish social trust between
the 'governors'
(the new breed of political leaders) and the 'governed' (the people).
5. National Reconciliation: Our salvation lies in
uniting democratic opposition, pursing active steps towards national
reconciliation
and overcoming historic differences.
6. Coalition Government in Exile: National
reconciliation would be pave the way towards the formation of a
Coalition Government
in Exile that would consists of realigned political parties representing
moderate left (social democratic), center (liberal), and right
(conservative) views.
7. Media's Role: The Iranian media in exile needs
to readjust itself in a new role towards reconciliation of national
interests. The
mass media would have to adhere to highest journalistic standards
in support of the Iranian Coalition Government in Exile.
8. Civil Disobedience: The new Government in Exile
would seek international recognition and legitimacy, as it would
lead and coordinate the
non-violent civil disobedience campaign against the Islamic Government
of Iran.
9. Democratic Elections: Civil disobedience would
bring the ruling theocracy in Iran to its knees, and the government
would eventually
concede to people's will for free, democratic and multi party elections
under independent international supervision.
 10. Referendum: Following democratic elections of a new parliament,
Iranians could vote in a national referendum to choose the future
system of government (i.e. constitutional monarchy vs. republic)
whereby a constitutional hereditary monarch or elected president
would be entrusted with ceremonial roles of head of state. Iranians
of all political stripes would be required to respect the referendum
results based on a 50% +1 formula.
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Theocracy to Democracy
