Persian Realm

Caption : Mossadegh: "Hey little man! I told you to be constitutional monarch. But you didn't listen." 

(Above Cartoon published by Joyous in Iranian.com01/03/2009)

Supporters of Doctor Mossadegh claim that he was the 'first democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran' prior to the deemed « coup » which led to his downfall. That assessment supposes that Iran was in effect a stable and enduring democracy.

But how true is that assessment in the light of what historians know today of Iranian society in 1953 :

THE PAST IS A FOREIGN COUNTRY: How Would You Evaluate Iran's Democracy Index in 1953 ? by DK

A closer look at the very draft of the constitution upon which the entire institution of the constitutional monarchy rested upon should at least give us a more clear idea:

Source:

Original Draft of Iran’s 1906 Constitution and it’s Supplement (Foundation of Iranian Studies)

Cyrus Amir-Mokri, a lawyer of Iranian descent, discusses Iran's constitutional system of government. This address was given during the World Affairs Councils of America's Teachers Workshop on Persia during July 2008.

World Affairs Councils of America's Teachers Workshop on Persia (July 2008):

Part I:

Part II:



Profile of The Speaker @ Iranian American Political Action Committee

Cyrus Amir-Mokri was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. He has been living in the United States since 1981.

After attending Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin for one year, Mr. Amir-Mokri attended Harvard College, graduating in 1986 with a degree in biochemistry. Mr.Amir-Mokri then studied history at the University of Chicago, where he concentrated principally on diplomatic and on modern Middle Eastern history. A recipient of a Mellon Foundation dissertation year fellowship, he authored a doctoral dissertation on Iranian constitutional history.

Upon completing his doctoral studies, Mr. Amir-Mokri attended the University of Chicago Law School, from which he was graduated in 1995. Since his graduationfrom law school, Mr. Amir-Mokri has practiced law in Illinois and New York, and has served as law clerk to the Honorable Bruce M. Selya of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Mr. Amir-Mokri currently resides in New York City, where he also practices law. He is a member of the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

Cyrus Amir-Mokri is also one of the original trustees and board members of PAAIA (See Profile Here)

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COUP OR COUNTER COUP ?



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Abbas Milani : Mossadegh knew that his dismissal was legal:


Former Diplomat Parviz Rajji, and Historians Mashadollah Ajoudani and Abbas Milani on the Shah's role in the Coup of 1953:







(NOTE: Also See Related BBC Interview of Mashadollah Ajoudani on the Iranian Intellegenstia and the Coup of 53 Here )

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FROM MONARCHY TO THEOCRACY

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February 8th, 1979 Pro Bakhtiar Demonstrations in Favor of Maintaining the 1906 Constitution :

Khomeiny Refuses a Constitutional Monarchy:

Shah's departure not enough; constitutional monarchy must go, he says

Related Blogs:

Crown Prince Reza on importance of "Checks and Balances" of future regime

THE PAST IS A FOREIGN COUNTRY: How Would You Evaluate Iran's Democracy Index in 1953 ?

MILANI ON ANDISHEH TV: "History Will Be Kind To The Shah"

Nader Naderpour: How Rennaissance inspired Iran's Constitutional Revolution

Other Related Blogs:

How Truly Democratic And Stable Is The British Monarchy?

British Monarchy To Remove Sexist Rules Regarding Royal Succession

ROYAL FORUM: Explaining the Concept of a Constitutional Monarchy to a Staunch Republican



Machiavelli's "The Prince" and the "Art" of Governing

Related Pictory:

pictory: First Open Session of the Parliament in Persia / Iran (1906)

PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY: Mozaffaredin Shah Signs First Draft of the Constitution (1906)

PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY: Shah Delivers Speech to Parliament (1951)

PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY: First Public Gathering of the Iranian Majlis (1906)

WOMEN GET TO VOTE: Female Crowd Gratefully Gather At Shah's Palace (1963)

pictory: Bakhtiar Denounces Bazargan's Provisionary Government in exile (1979)

RESTORATION: Shapour Bakhtiar advocates Restoring the Monarchy