Yesterday was the 34th anniversary of the 1979 Revolution in Iran; a revolution for democracy that was hijacked by the Islamic fundamentalists half way through. Each year the regime holds a staged procession to commemorate the so-called "Islamic Revolution." As the majority of the people do not participate in that procession, the regime introduces its own "othering" elements into it so that the population in the procession would seem representative of all the people, implying that all are satisfied with the regime.
These two are instances of using that technique. Notice that how the "real" supporters of the regime look at them, with surprise and perhaps a little bit of contempt; for they already know that this is totally incongruous. Women are being daily arrested in Iran for clothing much more modest than that, and men are tacitly requested to avoid wearing fancy suits. However, what matters here is what the world sees in the media, so every "indulgence" that helps shape the illusion of a "democratic" Iran under a theocracy is authorized. Never underestimate the power of the media!
Comments 2 Pending 0
faraway
ReportGood observation!
Zendanian – An injury to one is an injury to all.
ReportNever over-estimate power of the State either, especially when that state is in a crisis mode.
Islamic Republic of Hell is a bankrupt, dysfunctional, theocratic state, deep in structural crisis:
from internal conundrums ( economy, elimination of subsidies, destruction of environment, closely related to that, increasing unsustainablity of life in major urban centers,...)
to external conflicts (sanctions, Syria,...)
Although it still enjoys the support of very devoted, organized and armed groups; however amongst vast sectors of the population, other than beneficiaries of the regime, the state is becoming more and more de-legitimized and isolated.
Though this increasing isolation of the state in IR is not yet at the same level of monarchy's isolation from Iranian society (back in 1979), but it is increasingly moving in that direction.