The situation in Iran is not good. One could argue that the economy of the country is weak and the government lacks consistencies in the laws and economical regulations. This has helped the corruption to an extent of hopelessness for any real resolutions. The unjustified social restrictions do not help the situation either. In short, the Iranian society seems unwell.
The dilemma is more complicated than what appears first hand. One could argue that the economical pressures facing our society have given birth to certain cultural and social attitude unfit for an ancient civilization. People are not happy and the constant complaints about their lives in Iran become tiresome and frustrating.
It is not the economy alone. This kind of attitude and social depression is among the well to do also. One could estimate that the well to do is actually unhappier than those who are poor. Yet a quick glance as a traveler to the land of Cyrus would give you a different picture. People seem to be happy and joking at all times. The warmth of family and friends would be overwhelming for many visitors. Without a doubt Iran is a complicated country to investigate.
The Islamic Republic of Iran was established to deliver freedom and independence to the Iranian people. For the Iranians the most important factor during the 1978-1979 revolt was political independence. The word independence could be interpreted in various ways if one is not familiar with the dominant political culture of the time. The increased pride of the Iranian people in their rich history might have been the most important factor to result in the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty. To refresh the mindset of the Iranians during the late 1970’s era, Iran was ashamed as a nation to be under the control of a foreign country. After the US sponsored coup to overthrow Mosaddegh, people lost trust in the Shah and perceived him to be a puppet of the US. Because of the US dominance in the Iranian political scene the word independence during the revolution meant a political independence.
Iranians had suffered from the foreign policy makers that had turned the pages of time against them and felt disenfranchised from the system that was perceived to be a foreign one. Iran from the Qajar dynasty to past regimes was not a developed or socially advanced nation. It was only during the later years of Reza Shah rule that Iran had seen some advancement in different areas, especially economically. These economic developments were slow and had created a class of its own that was not ethnic to the social norms of the country. The majority would perceive this advancement as yet another plot by the foreign powers in order to dominate the Iranian nation. The mistrust of the regime and the people were wildly felt in every household during the Reza Shah reign.
The revolution therefore was more focused on the right for Iran to be independent rather than free. The only Iranian establishment that was trusted to be politically independent was the clergy. Although the slogans of the revolution indicated a want for freedom, one could see that the majority of the Iranians were more interested to gain a long lost independence than freedom. The reasoning for this statement could be clarified with an example that the majority of the people knew what a political independence meant yet were not clear what freedom meant.
Hence the Islamic Republic was established based on that very idea, to make Iran politically sovereign. Judging the outcome today is simpler than looking at Iran then. Iranians therefore must be very aware about this fact and our own recent history. Has the Islamic Republic reached the people’s goals to be a politically independent system?
If the Iranians knew then what their movement would end up to be today, would there still be a revolution? I would debate that most certainly yes. Most Iranians during the revolution could not imagine getting away from the foreign powers and have a politically independent country. To many during those days, the possibility of an independent system was absolutely priceless. To simplify, the Iranians had a passion for pride! Iranians wanted to take charge of their own future.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is the direct result of that mentality. No individual could imagine that the majority of Iranians wanted someone similar to Ahmadinajad representing their interest, but since then we have come a long way.
The most important point to keep in mind at all times is that Iran although great; it’s not the illusion that some people have made it to be. It is a land similar to many countries with much diversity of thoughts and languages, nationalities and ideologies. The sense of realism about Iran is greatly missed amongst Iranians Diaspora. The lack of realistic vision about Iran is the direct result of what most Iranians outside of Iran complain about.
Thirty years have passed and the powerful, intelligent communities of Iranians outside of Iran must begin to comprehend the situation of Iran is more complicated that they picture her to be. Thirty years has passed and the Islamic Republic of Iran seems to be the only government that has stood external forces and not only relied on her people to achieve the once unthinkable but also has become stronger rather than weaker.
To put the last thirty years in a short sentence, besides the pains of revolution and war, sanctions and isolations, the situation has improved but not to an acceptable level. I believe that if Iranians become more realistic and more understanding with regards to what’s important for the future of Iran, they would push harder to lift the sanctions and promote economic growth for Iran. In this case Iranians would benefit greatly and this is one fight that we can truly win: Empowering Iranians. It is more important to recognize that no foreign government is setting goals to make Iran a prosperous country. This is the task that belongs to Iranians and must be resolved by Iranians.
