Looking back, looking ahead
- Comments
Comments related to a survey
February 9, 1998
The Iranian
Comments related to a survey emailed to those on THE IRANIAN TIMES mailing list on February 3 regarding the political events of 1978 and 1979 which led to the downfall of the monarchy. To see the results of the survey, click here.
Each (*) represents a comment from a different person
Bit more realistic
As a person who was only six years old at the time of the revolution and grew up INSIDE Iran after the revolution, I think that the overall consequences of the revolution were for the better although agree that there are also negative aspects. Based on my personal observations, unfortunately, many people judge the revolution only due to their personal bias, not realities. Many of those who had a bad impression of the revolution will always be against it no matter what. And many ignore the negative aspects.
Maybe we need to start to be a bit more realistic in judging the other point of views. The revolution is not going to go away wether we like it or not. It is a reality which did happen and with which many of the younger generation Iranians in Iran are learning to deal with without having to live in the past or hanging on to unrealistic biasts.
Ahmad Taheri
Monument of shame
The 1979 Islamic Revolution represents the darkest chapter in Iranian history second only to the Arab conquest which introduced this vile religion to our culture and nation, sowing the seeds for the tragedy of 1979. Like a cancer, the belief system and ideology of Islam grew on the people, their psyche, and their identity as a nation, slowly detriorating a once mighty empire.
It took a man with the will and determination of Reza Khan the Great to drag the nation, kicking and screaming out of the dark ages, into the 20th century. Tragically, it took a degenerate like Khomeini and his lackies to usurp over 50 years of progress, cast our mothers, daughters, and sisters into subhuman status, send our sons to their deaths wearing plastic keys to paradise, while a disgusting few grew rich and fat off Iran's collapse.
It is my hope that a nationalist movement transcending all religions will bring this monument of shame known as the Islamic Republic down forever.
Political awareness
The best consequence of the 1978-79 movement has been an increase in the political awareness of the society as a whole.
Islam exposed
You could have listed the following option in your last question ["The best consequence of the 1978-79 movement has been..."] : that it has exposed true Islam and its nature which is undemocratic and deserves to be thrown into the trash bin of history.
Religion just as its counter parts such as beliefs in ghosts, witches and fairies are all based in superstition and it is time to recognize the fact that a nation ruled by superstitious gangs of mullahs (or non mullahs) can expect nothing but misery and backwardness in the 21st century. And that has been the source of our demise to this date.
May progressive and scientific forces of our generation prevail in battles to come.
Pluralism, eseence of survival
Iran has the second largest natural gas reserves in the world, namely an estimated 900 trillion cubic feet of gas and she has also 10% of proven oil reserves of the world, namely 160 billion barrels of oil and she has also the third largest copper resources in the world. Furthermore, she has Iron ore and the most enriched uranium in the world. Still 56% of the energy needs of North America is met by oil and gas and 40% by electricity and the remaining 4% by alternative energy resources.
An increase in the price of oil and gas would have devastating effects on the Western industrialized countries and their social structure and way of life. (Please pay attention to the fact that a barrel of oil is sold for less than its 1979 price and then add to that the inflation) The interests of the Western industrial complex dictate that this rich area be kept unstable, then capital (both financial and human capital) tends very strongly to flee political uncertainty and the ensuing economic instability.
The other issue concerning Iran is that if the people of Iran succeed in acquiring and/or developing the necessary technology then Iran is bound to become a power. Both Japan and Germany have sophisticated technologies but their economies would collapse if the energy routes were closed to them as was the case in the Second World War.
The Islamic Revolution has made it very difficult for Iran to acquire technology (because of its rogue state status and sanctions) and it has also made it difficult to develop technology (because of the brain drain and out flux of capital from Iran). The emergence of Iran as a power in the region would bring stability to the region and that would be contrary to the interests of Israel, since if Iran's stability, a non-Arab but after all Moslem country, can be perceived as a risk then what about the Arab countries?
The challenge facing all the Iranians today is to look at their differences in complementary terms and not in contradictory terms: meaning to understand that their different political convictions can be complemented in various aspects by each other and do not have to be mutually exclusive. Then it is of utmost importance that we all know and understand the secret for the survival of our old and rich civilization despite Alexander's victory, Arab conquest, Mongol savagery and finally Turk domination.
The secret to our longevity is this: we Iranians are all Iranian in our own way and we don't need group approval to confirm our identity. Generally speaking other nationals need the group effect to feel secure in their identity and the dissolution of the group undermines the continuity of their and their fellow nationals' identity.
This further shows that the essence of our survival in the past has been pluralism and we have to acknowledge that the essence of our success in the future will also be pluralism keeping in mind that "unity in diversity" should be our logo so that Occidental powers cannot manipulate us based on their logo which is: "divide and rule". Only then will we be able to set up the all-important SYSTEM needed to foster our growth and prosperity and the legal framework needed to ensure its continuity and robustness. (A pluralistic government is to be primarily judged by the efficiency and efficacy of the system it sets up and the extent it can relatively satisfy the variety of its members in reasonable terms.) A very difficult task indeed.
Piruz Bashid.
Disaster now prosperity later
Iranian revolution should be analyzed in two aspects: short & long terms:
Short term: Destruction & economic disaster, sanctions, etc.
Long term: Independence & prosperity and respect for Iranians.
Law & liberty
For the past 19 years, all experts in the west have claimed that the influx of western culture in Persian society led to the 1979 revolution. I think, to the contrary, the revolution was a direct result of vehement and brutal resistance of the previous government to the introduction of Western culture in Iran.
I certainly hope that Western societies consider democracy, liberty, human dignity, human rights, freedom of expression, freedom of press, and the concept of one man one vote as their cherished Western culture, all of which have always been sorely absent in our society.
My sincere hope is that one day, we will succeed in having social liberty and the rule of law in Iran. Ideals for which we have paid so dearly, ideals which are cornerstones of Islam and are stressed ever so eloquently in many surahs in the Quran.
With Persian gratitudes;
Behrad Nakhai
People power
The best consequence of the 1978-79 movement has been the realization of the immense potential power of the Iranian people.
When the dust settles
I believe that like any popular political movement, the 1979 movement in Iran had early mishaps, not the least of them being the total control of power by a certain class of the society (clergy). The use of religion as a justification for imposing absolute and undemocratic control on the people is a practice out of dark ages.
The positive aspects of the movement were the awakening of Iranian people to the possibilities of their united action and their political rights as a whole.
I believe that when dust has settled, Iran will be better off than if Pahlavi Dynasty had continued its rule in Iran.
Love...
LOVE IRAN
Marked all the wrost
I had no choice but to mark all of the answer in the worst category of 1979. It is in my opinion that the first four responses are all woven into each other.
Film & art evolved
The best consequence of the 1978-79 movement has been that in general, there have been no good consequences (except Film/Art has evolved so drastically.)
Fixing bad things
The Islamic Revolution in Iran has lead to many good things, but for every good thing, there is a bad thing. But in our country's perspective, many of those bad things can be fixed (such the outlawing of certain things like satellite TV or internet which severely ruins the chance for a technological advancement).
French Revolution
The Iranian revolution was in many ways similar to the French revolution - it made it possible for people to believe that they are in control of their own destiny. Although I was not in favor of the revolution during the initial stages, I believe that it has been a positive experience for Iran.
Negative consequences interrelated
With regard to your question on the worst consequence of the revolution, I think that the first four answers are all right -- they are all the worst consequences, and they are all interrelated to one another. The lack of basic freedoms is the result of the clergy's monopoly on power and imposition of rigid religious laws in public and private affairs.
No freedom in Shah's time
I think that the revolution did have good intentions. The religious dictatorship which subsequently came to power never paid any attention to people's aspirations. The very fact that the religious echelon of the society managed to fool people were the result of chronic lack of political freedom that was prevailing during the Shah's regime.
Limited survey
This survey has a lot of limitations in describing the situation in Iran.
All hopes dashed
The people thought that they were gaining independence and a democracy. Instead the clergy used the people's discontent and energy to gain power and since they knew their allies they rounded them up and executed them in order to seal their power and remove future opponents. All accounts say that in the first three years of Khomeini more people were executed and vanished than in the whole 37 year history of the Shah.
Iran has now been subjugated by a 7th century Arab mentality that once again , totally ignores the identity of the Iranian nation and even suffocates it. All hopes for the equal treatment of the sexes, various races, various religions, etc. have been dashed.
We can once again blame all this on foreign influences and close our eyes to our own gullibility. We must , however, face the fact that the three million who rushed out to greet Khomeini were neither British or American or Russian, they were Iranians who should have seen the handwriting on the wall. All those who still try to justify the excesses as the natural course and consequences of revolutions, still have not taken off the blinders.
Results of clergy's monopoly
It would be difficult to separate the clergy's monopoly on power from all that it would naturally entail, given the dogmatic nature of most religions, specially ours. Namely lack of respect for: other belief systems, ways of living one's life, freedom of speech and assembly and the right to form political parties which may not hold belief in Islamic Rule as an absolute must.
Westernizing too fast
The 1979 Revolution, was all caused by the OPEC issue. In 1977 the Shah announced to OPEC that he will not sell oil for cheep, and showed that Iran is powerful and independent. This was not appreciated and the Americans, decided to get ride of Shah, because he was becoming independent and powerful and he didn't want to give the oil away for free. So the Americans were always ready, and had this planed. The Americans knew that the best way to penetrate Iran is through religion, and they sent Khomeini to create the disaster.
That is why the Shah of Iran was trying very very hard to make sure all Iranians are educated. There were schools everywhere so that other political forces could not brainwash them. He tried to Westernize Iran very fast, and that came to the downfall of Iran!
Truly yours,
Kourosh (Cyrus) Khalatbari
Son of the Late (Shadravan) General Amir Farhang Khalatbari
cyrus@kcyrus.com
Cultural Revolution
In my view, 1978-79 events constituted a CULTURAL REVOLUTION where masses of traditional Iranians revolted against the ruling minority of pro-westerners.
It was a blind movement and set back the country considerably, but also had some positive effects: e.g., greater empowerment of ordinary people, and greater self-reliance on economic and industrial areas.
The way out: Democracy
The revolution was genuine, but after it's initial success, the Islamic fanatics took control of it and started to suppress all the freedom fighters who supported the revolution but did not want a religious dictatorship. This is the only reason why the country is in the shape it is today.
The mullahs have no knowledge of running a country, and that is why the country is in ruins today. The only way out of this mess is establishment of a democratic republic in Iran, and change of the constitution so that religion is completely separated from the government and becomes a private matter for citizens.
Farmers Revolution
The Revolution was a revolution of farmers who did not see their role and existence in the Shah's vision of a modern industrialized Iran.
Secondly, Iran was moving into cultural and social vacuum because the industry was not self developed, only bought from the West with oil-dollars, and the culture as well.
The Shah has to take the responsibility for all the negative developments afterwards - and he deserves credit for the positive things.
Mixture of the best
The best consequence of the 1978-79 movement has been (choose only one)... ( ) independence/end of foreign powers' influence ( ) relative increase in political, individual freedoms ( ) the emergence of Islam as a viable political and social force ( ) greater emphasis on helping the poor and developing rural areas ( ) In general, there have been no good consequences (X) A variable mixture of all the above through time
All nations go through it
Cultural and political growth. All the nations should pass such an era.
No to shahhanshahi system
The events in 1978 and 1979 which led to the downfall of the monarchy can be best described as a big "No" to 'shahanshahi system'. However, people did not know what they wanted. They only knew what they do not want.
Human rights abused by all
The worst consequence of the 1978-79 movement has been lack of respect for basic freedoms & human life, BY ALMOST ALL POLITICAL ACTIVISTS.
Short but sweet
The real response to the last question "The best consequence of the 1978-79 movement" is indeed the fact that the people had a short slot of time when they could breath the freedom and opened their eyes; even though that period was so short.
A torn nation
Like what happened to Iraq and Saddam Hossein after the invasion of Kuwait, although Western world and the United States do not like a strong force in the region, however they kept him in power to keep the region volatile in favor of creating a market for their armament and having military bases and eventually keeping Israel's hands free while the arabs are busy with another non-arab country namely Iran.
Iran pre-1979 was a strong but peaceful force which was leading the Middle East toward a united, wealthy, and strong viable force.... the Americans and their allies of course did not like a united front as OPEC was during the time of the Shah, as they are more interested in a more divided and unstable region which can be manipulated easily.
The so-called Islamic Revolution was taken place by the help of Westerns local boy, Israel..... as we were witnessed, while mullahs were taking power in Iran.... the Egyptians accepted the peace accord with Israel, and consequently Jordanians and Lebanese.... of course all thanks to the Islamic Republic and their slogans of reaching Ghods (Jerusalem) or freeing Ka'ba..... Iran, a peaceful, proud, progressive, and proud nation and country became "Islamic Republic" of an aggressive, violent, terrorist, and backward satellite of a larger "Islamic Empire" known as "Velayat-e Faghih".....
Yes... there is no more "Iran", but as it is seen on their stamps and money or their seat in the United Nations ... it is "Islamic Republic"..... Well, the so-called 1979 Revolution, gave everything to the foreign forces that they could never achieve while Iran was strong and powerful and progressive....
Thanks to the Islamic Republic, now the United States and their allies have bases in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain with their navy roaming the Persian Gulf.... and now Iran is a torn nation with millions, including the best educated of them working for foreign countries rather than being useful for the country that could be...... sorry for lengthy comment......
Sincerely,
M.S.
Last revolution, hopefully
The 1979 revolution was a great mistake and has cost the Iranian people many lives and continues to do so. I personally hope that was the last revolution in Iran's history. Revolution is a product of desperation and therefor nothing good can come of it and a look at revolutions in other countries will confirm that. (unless it's against a ruling foreign power).
More scientific survey
I find your survey too short and too general. It should have been constructed in a far more scientific manner-you have a good opportunity to reach a good number of people and should you use it more effectively. Maybe next year!
The story of ifs
The story of two lost ( IFs ) and one savable present ( IF )
The " IFs " of the past are as follows:
1- IF Constitutional revolution of 1906 was not abused by foreign powers and their internal stupid partners, now most probably Iran still was a constitutional monarchy. In its own right similar to the United Kingdom and progressed politically, socially and economically.
2- IF coup d' etat 1953 was not imposed to Iran by the same process ( the short sited foreign powers and their stupid internal partners ) now Iran was a proud and progressed republic like the USA, again in its own right. Worst thing that would had happened was that Iran would have ended up like Czechoslovakia to become a communist country. In that case now Iran had come out of it to embrace the west.
3- IF short sited foreign powers who want things right-away not right and their stupid internal partners learn their listens and have their hands off of Iran, things would eventually change for better for all parties specially the noble Iranian people who have suffered a lot. It would be terrible and extremely pessimistic to think that the aim is to keep Iranians under pressure one way or another.
In spite of all efforts to destroy or at least to defame and to make Islamic Republic of Iran miserable by imposing wars and sanctions Iran is live and recovering.:) Iran's government system is similar to the west.:) IRI has inborn democracy in her political system.:) Election of president Khatami is a well known example.:) Two big parties are about to born; conservative and liberal.:)
To make their points Iranians use a lot of analogies. I will finish up this note with one of them: " Dastash nazaar BADtar mishe'h " Roughly it means " do not try to fix it, you may make it worse ". Off hand, I do not remember a similar English proverb but this one has an anecdote behind it!:) If you do not know it, you will find someone who knows it to tell you. I hope it will amuse you.
One last point Iranian are unique in one thing. For thousands of years they have brought up with this very noble and idealistic conviction and deep seated belief that Goodness and truth will eventually triumph over badness and false. To this end anything including religion is means not ends! Nothing in their long and stormy history has been able to stop them from persuing this goal. Look at their legendary Siavash and historic Imam Hossein and thousands of years expectation ( before and after Islam ) for the one who will come to establish the God's Utopia on the earth!
Pake Parsi,M.D.
PParsi@aol.com
Mother of all dark episodes
The 1979 uprising, once again betrayed the aspirations and hopes of the Iranian people for a democratic and free Iran in the hands of a group of backward murderers and thugs. This will be remembered as the darkest episode in the history of a country whose history is adorned by dark episodes.
They did to Iran what no foreign enemy had ever managed to do. Stealing, fraud, lying and back-stabbing are no longer considered as wrong, since these have become the only means of survival for the majority of the population. It has made people, quite understandably, insensitive to the suffering of the others, since their only objective is to somehow make ends meet and provide their own family with the very basics.
But it taught us a few useful lessons too:
- Not to believe in the promises made to us by unknown and untested
entities
- We learnt the meaning of true Islam and how unliberating it is
- Majority of the people will not allow religion to play a major part in
our political affairs in the future (if there is one)
- Have a credible and tested alternative before demanding the demise of
another
I could go on and on, but I will leave the rest to the others. I am sure many people will have a lot to add to comments made by me.
Longing for a brighter future, which I'm sure one day will dawn on us.
Dismayed active participant
I actively participated in what I thought at the time was an intellectual revolution. Much to my dismay, this uprising was used by a minority to secure power and abolish any opposition. It's a pity that the people's revolution took such a direction.
I just hope that during my life time, Iran can stand proud as a nation of intellectuals, with freedom and respect for all its citizens. If I remember correctly, this was the original intent of the our revolution.
Emergence of cultural identity
The best consequence of the 1978-79 movement has been the emergence of a more valuable cultural and political identity, i.e. as opposed to the Shah's time, which was vaabasteh, tookhaali, gharb-garaa, ...
Hope in Khatami
The revolution could have been a great revolution if one group would not have tried to monopolize everythig. It was this monopolization that caused the departure of many intellectuals and technocrats from our beloved country, the war with Iraq, the hostage crisis, and their many consequences. Let us hope that the election of Khatami will bring many positive changes, and at least reducing the power of velayat-e e faghih.
Rebirth of Iranian nation
It was undoubtedly a great time in our history and it was a move that brought Iran into its new history. Yes maybe things didn't go like everyone planned but nothing ever does. Iran's revolution in my opinion was a rebirth of the Iranian nation and state that is why brothers and sisters we have to be patient because in time I believe that the benefits of the revolution will overcome its costs.
However I believe that what Iran needs to do is also remember the achievements of the Shah who we got rid of. As wrong as he may have been, no one can deny the Shah did his best also. He was human and therefore imperfect like all of us. No one can completely be right and no one can completely be wrong, it is up to the new generation to make sure that it takes advantage of the rights and realize the wrongs. I hope that all those who lost loved ones before the revolution and after the revolution can overcome those losses and start again.
Iran's revolution was 20 years ago. I think talking about it now is a waste of time. Well not talking about it but rather discussing what its aims were and were not. What happened, happened and we can't change that. But we should start discussing the road we are going to take now. We need to discuss how people are going to get along, how we are going to get over name calling and killing each other.
History is a lesson, the future is the challenge.
Sultan Mehrabi
//www.iranfootball.com
Bad timing
My regret is the timing of the revolution. If Iranians could tolerate and withstand the military regime of the Shah a little longer, I believe the following advantages would have been accomplished.
As a U.S. friendly nation, Iran would have benefited from the technological revolution and after the cold war, or, with less violence, I believe the chaos that followed would have been less destructive.
U.S., Libya, MI5
By 1978-1979 most good opposition leaders had been eliminated except for the left. The 1979 so-called revolution was orchestrated by the help of the following: the U.S., former Soviet Union, Libya, Palestinians, MI5, MI6 and of course the one world order. Results: some improvement for poor people and some political freedom. Lack of individual freedom, establishment of stupid Islamic laws, destruction of culture and our national identity.
Theocracy will NEVER work
Even though I am a young adult, trying to figure out the history of the country I was born in, I believe what I have to say is as viable as those who were actually part of the revolution. Here's what happened in my opinion:
A group of intellectuals saw something wrong with the corrupt Pahlavi dynasty, and knew that the social structure of the country was all artificially setup by the dictatorship, yet they did not really have the leadership to start a revolution. Meanwhile, the religious leaders of Iran, especially those in Qom and Khomeini, are urging a return to a freer Iran, a more democratic Iran. When the intellectuals meet the religious leaders, they think of them, mistakenly, as the righteous leaders for a revolution. After all, they had been preaching the same idealism as the intellectuals were hoping for.
The revolution occurred, with the majority of the public really happy to see change, since the majority were of lower-class. But what kind of change occurred? And who benefited? It seems to me that the lower class benefited, because they were not as oppressed anymore. The first few DAYS of the revolution seemed good for the other social groups as well, yet most realized after time how deceitful these religious leaders were. They lied to get power, and when they got the power, their promises to the people were shattered, in the name of "religion."
I hope Iran sees one day that a theocracy will NEVER work in this modern world, yet at the same time realize how important it is to keep their cultural and even religious beliefs.
Eiman Z.
e_man@juno.com
Bad mullahs
I am 16 years old. This is my view: LOOK, I SEE THIS REVOLUTION AS A GOOD THING, PEOPLE WANTED IT , AND PEOPLE GOT IT. My dad was there in time of revolution. Everything was great. He describes it as a time of a lot of freedom and alot of happiness. Khomeini was loved and .. but when Motahhari was killed and Taleghani died, conservatives came to power and everything went opposite way. They took the U.S. embassy and made other mistakes, like killing a lot of people. Then there was the bad decision of not making peace in the war at the right time.
Well if it was not for that, it was a peoples revolution. It was an end to dictatorship and foreign influence Islam was the driving force but bad mullahs made it look bad.
Missed the boat
In general we Iranians blame everyone else for our misfortunes. It is time to admit that after 20 years of tyranny we have missed the boat. We have no one else, but ourselves, to blame for keeping these mullahs in power.
How a nation should be run
Iran is on its way to showing the world how a nation should be run. The most religious, most intelligent and most unselfish people are ruling the country. All other countries have political leaders with some sort of major flaw that is not found in the Iranian clergy. Their motives are clearly out of goodwill.
The Islamic Revolution will lead to an end of American "instrumentalist" foreign policy, where they treat other nations like puppets, and not nations. Iran is the only nation that has had the guts to stand up to the U.S. successfully and show the world how tyrannical their foreign policy can be.
Bad, but progress ahead
Missing from your third question was the most interesting and in my view most plausible: As a whole, the 1978-79 movement was generally a negative development which will ultimately lead Iran to progress
Control by the worst
In 79, it seemed that a moderate Islamic-valued revolution could have been possible. Had Bazargan and Taleghani (or Shariati, since I'm already naming dead people) been at the helm, life would have been significantly different from how it turned out to be under the repressive and backward regime of Khomeini. As it was, there were many diverse groups vying for control early on, many were well-meaning and had a heightened sense of social value unlike most of the corrupt agents of the Shah's regime.
Probably few of the revolutionary factions had a decent grasp of appropriate economic agendas. As it was, the faction which was probably the least progressive, the most repressive, and as economically backward as the worst of them took control. Fortunately, welfare and education of the poor have been on their agenda. Unfortunately, it is not clear how much less corrupt Iran now is, but it is altogether too obvious how much worse off it is economically.
Did not want this change
Iran needed a change. This change is not what most Iranians wanted. On the positive side, Iran is learning to stand on its own. I also hope that most Iraninas are realizing that the general problems with our country is not as dependent on the governing system as it is on the people's understanding of the social/political/cultural issues. If we truly learn from history and culture, we will not be prone to subjugation, by foreign or domestic powers.
Zendehbaad...
Zendehbaad Iran!
Worth the blood
Revolutions and other social changes always force the society to progress and improve, though it may not seem obvious. French revolution was hundred times more violent, and the condition of the people and corruption of the government much worse than even iranian revolution. But nobody denies it opened the way for improvement at the same time. There is no question that Iranian revolution didn't achieve most of it's ideals. But If I want to list the best consequences of iranian revolution, I would put them in this order:
1) People learnt how to overthrow a government. No government in Iran can feel safe from now on. The myst of 'shadow of god' is over forever. Just look at IRI to see how government is afraid of the power of the people.
2) People learnt to be more concerned about their country. They don't relate the events to 'fate' anymore. They are not indifferent to the issues of their country. Nobody is sacred to them anymore. They may be silent, but vigil and watchful.
3) Generally speaking, I'd say people are more informed now. They show more interest in reading and talking about political and social and economical issues.
and even if the above are the only achievements of the revolution, can't we say it pays for all of the blood the nation gave for it?
A great future
I was a teenager during the revolution and participated in most of the demonstrations, and after the victory in the local committees. I also fought for two years during the war with Iraq. Moreover, as recently as five years ago, I worked for a few years in the remotest parts of our country. Thus, I have experienced the revolution and the war and the reconstruction period after the war with my flesh and skin, rather than reading about it in the newspapers and books. I must admit, what happened in 1978 and 1979 in Iran was the most dramatic event in contemporary history of Iran which has changed the face of our nation and its effects will continue for many years to come.
Just for the records I should say that despite the trend of the events after the victory which led to the monopoly of power by certain school of thinking, what happened then was a truly popular revolution, which every class of people, one way or the other, participated in it. However, the role of the middle class was more significant. Ironically, it's been the middle class which has been hurt the most, economically and intellectually as a result of the certain policies of the ruling power, whereas, the deprived people in the rural areas have significantly benefited from the revolution and the quality of their lives have dramatically improved. I have personally witnessed that in the remotest villages people enjoy having running water, electricity, school and medical facilities, things that they could not even dream of during the Shah's time.
The main three slogans of the revolution was 'Independence, Freedom and Islamic Republic'. Although nobody had a clear idea of what an Islamic Republic would be like, I seriously doubt that most people envisioned such an extreme fundamentalism as a model for an Islamic state. It's an undeniable fact that the majority of Iranians are Moslems, however, I personally believe that the majority of this majority! prefer a non-ideological government. The proof of this is the landslide election of Mr. Khatami, who, unlike the ruling clergies, has repeatedly stated that "first Iran, then Islam".
Nobody can predict the future, but I have a feeling that Iran will have a great future, maybe not in the short term but definitely in the long run. Fortunately, the recent developments in our country kind of support my feelings. This whole thing is an evolutionary process that is being taken place. How many historians during the terrible days of the Civil War in America could imagine 200 hundred years later the United States would be the most powerful and prosperous country in the world?!
Our nation has great human and natural potentials, strengthened by rich cultural and historical heritage and has survived so many invasions and disasters. Let's everyone of us try our best to help our great nation in their drive for democratization and economic development. We could do this wherever we are by introducing our rich culture and promoting cooperation between our nation and the rest of the world, culturally, economically and socially.
Valid
Even if things went wrong...
Your first question does not have enough options. Iranians have extremely diversified views which covers a very wide spectrum and I don't think that the intentions you listed in the first questions covers all views and I have therefore left it blank.
The most quoted slogan of the revolution was: "Independence, freedom, Islamic republic". Slogans aside, I think that the people's intention was first and foremost to topple the Shah' regime which had been seen to be an instrument of foreign domination and internal suppression.
However, not much attention had been paid by the people regarding the intricate details of the emerging system. This was eventually decided and shaped by many internal and external factors such as the clergy's leadership (specially the person of Ayatollah Khomeini), the American boycott, the war, economic hardships etc.
I think that the revolution was overall a positive step in a historical context, even if many things went wrong with the chaos that followed. It was a genuine expression of frustration and anger by a people against a very strong and arrogant establishment.
However, what I see in Iran today, is in many instances the repetition of many of Shah's policies and that indeed is a great shame. I am always intrigued to see people who once experienced suppression are now themselves instruments of suppression. Power corrupts. I still have hope, specially with the coming into office of President Khatami. Iran is in need of a great reform.
Absolutely positive change
I believe that WE, young people of Iran, are those who suffer the most from the revolution of 1979. But if we look at this revolution with the eyes of a historian we realize that it was an absolutely positive change which will lead Iran to a very bright future. I am sure that our grand grand children will be proud of this revolution and talk about it as the moment when direction of Iran's destiny changed toward power, purity and pride.
Anti-monarchy revolution
The events in 1978 and 1979 which led to the downfall of the monarchy can be best described a a revolution against the monarchy (and Pahlavi regime in particular).
Richer rich, poorer poor
In my opinion the revolution was guided by external powers in such a way that the revolutionists did not understand. Its consequence was more rapid depletion of resources and producing more distance between the poor and the rich. The poor are much more than before 1979.
Technological movement
Driving half the population to foreign lands isn't my idea of a healthy change in government. However, one cannot deny that progressive movement towards the advancement of technology even within such limited resources. Whether this is an outcome of the ruling regime is difficult to assess.
Transitory times
The choices you have given here are not comprehensive. The Iranian Revolution of 1978 was an inevitable consequence of a monarchy enveloped in decadence and anachronism. In this respect, the Revolution was a positive development.
But, by depriving the Iranians from proper political channels of political debates and information, the Shah's regime was the creator of the Islamic flavor of Revolution. The Shi'ite clergy was backward and out-of-touch with the realities of the last quarter of 20th century. Khomeini was fixed in a pre-modern understanding of the nature of politics and political apparatus. And the Iranian left had no experience in moderation and no program for future. Thus, Khomeini, as well as other participants in the revolution, uprooted the best historical chances of a nation and delayed its progress.
Nevertheless, and in the long run, Islamic Republic will inevitably be considered as a transitory period in the annals of Iranian history. The Iranian nation is not to be kept in such dark ages for a long time. The geopolitics of Iran on one hand and the historical experience of its younger generation, on the other, will put this nation in a crucial cross-road of 21th century's political history.
One can only wish and pray that the next Iranian leaders could understand the prerequisites of their time and act accordingly. My generation has already lost the game.
Achieving goals, eventually
The 1979 movement was a national movement by the people. The religious aspects of the movement was brought up to the surface later by the arrival of Khomeini. But due to our tendencies to put all our lives in the hands of one figure, as we had been doing for over 2000 years in various autocratic systems, we made him an absolute ruler. Thus we inadvertently gave a green light to the clergy for a monopoly on power.
This in effect evolved to the mirror image of what was under the Shah before the revolution, but with a different class of society holding all the power. It is my belief that through people's greater participation in the political process, and creation of political parties with the eventual goal of actual public representation in the government, most of the desired outcomes of the 1979 movement will eventually be realized.
This is evident by the May 23rd election, the Soccer revolution, and the gradual self-marginalization of the unlawful and disruptive elements in the society.
With hopes for a prosperous and free Iran
Had we accepted Bakhtiar
In my opinion we needed the change. Few mistakes we made during this movement: First, if we had accepted Bakhtiar, and changed the revolution to reform, we would have been way ahead now. Second, we should have staood firm in front of anybody who wanted to take the freedom away.
Redeeming clergy
A system that is not flexible enough to resolve its internal conflicts is bound to break. That was the case with the monarchy. The fact that many members of the clergy (although by no means all) took the opportunity to abuse their responsibility, is their crime.
Yes many of them betrayed the nation, and the ones who have any conscience are working to redeem themselves. For others, to paraphrase Dostoyevsky, their punishment is the committing of their crime. Having said that, I am fairly optimistic about the future. ---Peerouz
Catastrophe
I call the 1978-79 "movement" a catastrophe. It stripped a wonderful country from all its international respect, its freedom, its noble history, and blocked its way to become the most modern country in the Middle East.
It stripped the Iranians and especially the young people and the children of their glorious history. It brainwashed the new generation with some backward, crazy ideas.
As a Christian, I should say that it prohibited us to be ourselves. Our children are supposed to read Koran, which means nothing to them. Christians are required to put aside all their religious and ethnic traditions and follow the rigid rules and regulations established by mullahs.
Mass uprising
Actually the Iranian revolution was a mass uprising, and it became political revolution!
Iranian Republican Revolution
The events of 1979 in Iran produced a republican form of government, the common denominator of the forces who participated in the "revolution." Therefore, it is apt for the events of 1979 to be called The Iranian Republican Revolution, just as the events of 1905 and 1907 are referred to as the Iranian Constitutional Revolution.
No matter what the eventual fate of Islam in the political life of the country, "republicanism" was the most welcome gift (armaghan) produced by the events of 1979. The Islamization of the political process resulted from the nation choosing to place the leadership of the country's political processes in the hands of the clergy and an Islamic constitution.
The survival of the Iranian republic will depend therefore on the wise choice of its people, a wisdom which can best attain under conditions of pluralism, a trend which may coexist with political Islam under the large tent of Iranian republicanism.
Guive Mirfendereski
Actions based on emotion
The best consequence of the 1978-79 movement may have been realization of adverse consequences of actions taken solely based on emotions rather than educated and informed decisions.
Youth don't understand
I think that after this survey you should present a BALANCED and FAIR political analysis of the events of 1978 and 1979. Unfortunately, many of our youth do not understand these events because of lack of knowledge about Iran's recent political past...
I was disgruntled that your survey did not have questions relating to previous events which caused or influenced its events. In particular: The Tobacco Riots of 1892, Constitutional Revolution of 1905; Reza Shah's reforms and the Islamic clergies role; The Mossadegh affair; Perceived tenets of the White Revolution; and "Taj Gozary" and its implications for both the monarchy and clergy...
P.S. I think what you guys are doing is really great!!!!!
More awareness & participation
As a thirteen-year-old revolutionary during the 1979 revolution, I have strong opinions about it:
1) Revolutions are not the most effective way of change. Revolutions do not offer the necessary requirements for democratic meaningful change, such as debates, dialogues, and participation.
2) The most positive consequence of the 1979 revolution was getting rid of the worthless elite minority that were reigning Iran, with their claims to all the resources and no respect or sympathy for the underprivileged and a deep hatred of the intellectuals.
True, now we have a new elite that is even more worthless. But at least there is more of a political and social awareness and participation from all classes, especially the middle and lower class women.
Vulnerability to revoltuion
Under the Pahlavi monarchy, state autonomy brought not institutional strength but social isolation, and social isolation, in turn brought weakness and vulnerability to revolution.
To avoid communism
The events in 1978 and 1979 which led to the downfall of the monarchy can be best described as a revolution mainly for the establishment of a democratic state and to restore social and economical justice. The "values" (namely the Islamic values) were later injected by the foreign powers, to avoid communist rule.
The multiple choices were very narrow in scope.
Hard question
That last question ["The best consequence of the 1978-79 movement..."] was too hard!
People intended reform
I believe the intention of the people was to reform of a superpower-influenced government and not a national revolution.
Considering more aspects
I think the demands and aspirations of the revolution have been realized in some aspects while other aspects have been ignored or not respected.
Negative aspects in my opinion are:
1. Individual freedoms are still pretty much non-existent in Iran although slowly improving. This includes basic rights of people such as what to watch or listen to or what clothes to wear.
2. Nepotism and favoritism within the job market as well as corruption within government entities are very much alive and possibly worse than what we had under the Shah's regime. Many good jobs are still distributed based on who you know and not merit. Many municipal and government workers still won't take care of your business in a timely manner unless you pay them a bonus.
3. Freedom of press and expression is still far from what everyone wanted. The main-steam Iranian press is run by the government and there only to admire the works of the government and push their agenda. They don't just give the news. They constantly praise the works of the government.
4. Discrimination against legal religions in Iran still exists. There are signs on the window of minority's food stores that indicates they are not Muslim. That gives you the impression that non-Muslims are outcast in Iran.
5. Worshipping a single person still exists in Iran. Why do we always have to have one person that runs everything and is considered the center of the universe and untouchable.
Positive aspects:
1. Life in rural areas and poor neighborhoods has improved tremendously. This is one very positive result of the revolution. Nearly all rural areas and villages now have electricity and running water and most have paved roads. There are schools in every little place in the country. There are hundreds of universities all around Iran now, although some argue they are not high quality, but nevertheless their mere existence is an improvement.
2. Iran has certainly become more independent. Technologically we build a lot of machinery in Iran. Much of what was imported during the Shahs regime is now being built in Iranian factories. We export steel and other hard metals as well as machinery. When the Shah was leaving Iran we built about 5% of the Peykan now we build over 95% of it. Our Road construction has greatly improved. Iran now participates in Asian contracts for building multinational bridges and roads.
3. Politically we have become independent as we don't let any outside country monitor our relationships with others. We have our own agenda and act independent. We don't deal only with some countries, we deal with all that we can. We go out and help the poor and the neglected in Africa. Although many say we still need help inside, I think we should try to help others as well.
4. Many things in Iran and under the Shah had become phony, westernized and shallow. I think going back to what we really are as a nation, and I am not necessarily talking about our religion but our culture, has enriched our values. The movie industry is one example of it as well as the work of modern artists living in Iran (singers, musicians, etc.).
5. The fact that for the first time in our country's history we had a free election and those that were favored by the government did not win is a huge improvement and unique in the middle east.
In closing I think Iran will have a great future. Like many other revolutions in the beginning there were extreme measures taken, but things have gradually improved. Many of the negative aspects I have noted above will fade away in time. I am very optimistic about the future of our great nation.
Mehrdad Koohian
Limited options
I think that the options are very limited and can not fully reflect the ideas of the voters.
Anti-monarchy
The Iran revolution was an anti-monarchy revolution that because of lack of proper alternative it was stolen by Khomeini's regime.
More secular than the Shah
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
The Shah was a thief, but, at least, all of Iran was his property. He had an incentive to maximize the value of his holdings. That meant he had to maintain some semblance of the rule of law and to reduce the amount of theft by his subjects.
The mollahs, on the other hand, have no single national proprietor. They steal just like the Shah and his underlings did, but without any control from the top. Their religious training has proved to be no substitute for managerial competence. The result is more theft and the rise of incompetence in nearly every sector of the economy and state.
Their use of religion as a cover for their activities has only denigrated Islam. I predict that Iran after the mollahs (yes, they will eventually go) will be even more secular than it was under the Shah.
More political awareness
Under the last question, "The best consequence of the 1978-79 movement has been...", I would add another choice: A rise in political awareness and maturity among all classes and strata of the Iranian society, and among women with a traditional/religious background in particular.
Hoping better future
In my opinion the best consequence of this revolution was to take off the burden of monarchy regime from the peoples' shoulders. I am also hoping that it ultimately leads us to a better future.
The force of change
While the young (up to 20 years old) and the rising managerial and political generation (20-40 yrs old) have been raised and formed within the Islamic revolutionary context, they have very different views and aspirations than their elders.
By and large, they are more pragmatic and open-minded, more patriotic (as opposed to the first generation of leaders after the revolution that wanted to emphasize Islam over Iran). They are the force of change. Together with greater contacts and interaction with the Iranian diaspora, they will change Iran.
Surveys provide direction
I found both the format and content of this survey quite limited, though I do appreciate your efforts in taking such surveys. I also wonder if sufficient number of Iranians (about at least 1000) do participate and/or have the opportunity to participate in such surveys.
It is unfortunate that expatriate Iranians have not developed strong social and political organizations which could not only protect their interests but also give us all an idea of what can be considered as mass opinions of Iranians.
Yet, I wish it had been possible that such type of surveys could be conducted freely in Iran. It would provide us in which direction we will be heading in future.
I went into the streets
As a young revolutionary I went into the streets, shouted slogans, wrote on the walls and fought with blood and soul. Now I am bitterly disappointed that the beauty of 79 revolution turned to ugliness of monopoly of a bunch of narrow-minded, incompetent, and revolting people who easily forgot who brought them to power... :(
New world order
It was all about a new power structure in The Middle East and new world order. One generation in Iran was victim of all those events.
Evolution, not revolution
All revolutions have resulted in disaster and a worsening of the general condition in the society. The ones that seem to be successful, are not successful. The success in those societies is due to other positive values or actions.
Understanding is the universal solvent not fight. Evolution is the right thing to do not revolution. This is true even today, with the oppressive regime.
Two words
Two words: America's Fault.
No viable leader
The lack of political experience among the Iranian public left people with no viable political leader after the downfall of the Shah. Ultimately, religion was the instrument that monopolized the power in the hands of the few.
In order to have economic growth, you must have entrepreneurs. The most successful context in which entrepreneurs are born is democracy. Dictatorship will take away your creativity and personal self worth !
Future looks bright
I certainly appreciate your wanting to poll your readership concerning the issues raised in your survey, for these and related but unasked questions, together with their answers (however much the answers may vary from one person to the next), remain pivotal in the lives of most Iranians, both abroad and in Iran.
Much of what individual Iranians are today; where they are; what they are doing; their views of the past, present and future, are linked in one way or another to the "events" of 1978-79. Indeed, those "events" were truly a revolution in the most elemental sense of the word; that is to say, a turning over - a turning over not only of the political elite, but also of the lives all Iranians.
While many in your readership will doubtless disagree, I view the "events" as a part of the process of political and social modernization of Iran, notwithstanding some of the more retrograde and anti-democratic elements of the current (but rapidly evolving) regime. Much to the discomfiture of the politicized and power-holding clergy, they are finding that the modernization I speak of is, and will increasingly be, consistent in many key respects with the "western, bourgeois-democratic/liberal ideals" for which they espouse such loathing. The election of Mr. Khatami is indicative of this evolutionary process which, though subject to temporary reversals, cannot in the end be stopped. If for no other reason, the development and widespread availability of communications technology, which facilitates a free exchange in "the market-place of ideas", will prevent a counter-revolution. It should be pointed out that this is a global process, not limited to Iran.
By this I do not mean to say that Iran is headed towards some sort of secular melange of Western political and social structures, or something akin to the superficial and ultimately unsuccessful imposition of a veneer of perceived westernization as was attempted by the previous regime. Such would be unlikely in the extreme given the history of Iran and the strong sense of self and nationhood felt by most Iranians of all classes. The "events" of 1978-79 were in no small measure a rejection of such attempts.
What it does mean is that Iran will continue to develop its own society, Iranian and Islamic in terms of its core values, but overlaid on, and fully reconciled with, a framework of participatory democracy and rule of law which are essentially Western in origin.
As a Westerner, I am of the opinion that the future does indeed look bright for Iran.
An American Friend Of Iran
Sadness & anger
I was ruffling through papers in an old, tattered folder, cleaning my desk at home. Folded in between receipts, printouts of the HTML 4.0 spec, and other uninteresting things was a thick, single spaced document. Upon scanning it, I found myself, a cynical New Yorker, saddened and angry.
It was a listing, one after another, of Iranians abroad that have been killed, or maimed since 1979 by this current regime's "forces" ... familiar names such as Bakhtiar and Oveissi, interspersed with the nameless, "Iranian dissident women", and "Mojahedin students opposing Khomeini."
Descriptions ranged from 'attacked in UNESCO building in Paris" to "stabbed and beheaded with knife in Germany and found in Iranian Embassy car," and so on all around the world; Paris, Washington, Dallas, Sweden, Karachi, Dubai, etc.
First the obvious emotion of sadness sets in. Then, the anger.
Anger at the droves of Iranians who are willing to overlook the deaths of thousands of Iranians around the world by our government and embrace Khatami and US/Iranian relations.
Should there be no justice? Should there be no punishments for Fallahian and others who have maimed, tortured, and killed. Should we just ignore years of oppression and be satisfied with the money that we stand to make as we return to Iran and set up business with a US company?
I for one cannot understand support for Khatami. Better than Nateq-Nuri? Absolutely. Better than what Iranians deserve from their government? Absolutely not. He is from the same seed, regardless of his education and charisma.
We can love our country, and have pride in our soccer team, but that, I believe, should be separate from embracing what is still a regime which oppresses its own people and limits its citizens' free thought.
Good & bad
In general this revolution has had some good points,
-People have gotten familiar with freedom by loosing it
-Safety has has improved
-Women know their own value more than before
There have been also a lot of negative points. I mention some:
-People have lost their ability to think logically
-Economy is really down.
-There is a huge gap between the poor and the rich
-Education quality has gotten worse.
-Individual freedoms have been forgotten.
-And etc...
Populist, anti-imperialist
Just a reminder that the 1979 revolution cannot be called the Iranian Revolution because there was another one in 1906. You could have included the choice of a "populist and anti-imperialist revolution that combined both secular & Islamic values" as one of your options.
No turning back
The Islamic revolution was and still is a powerful force in the history of Iran. It changed, forever, the direction the country develops/progresses. It certainly changed my life in a way that I never thought was possible. We must live with it. There is no turning back.
Economy the problem
The questions are not complete. For example roots of most of present political and social problems is the economy and in our case the reduction of the oil export and its price. If this had happened during the Shah's time our situation would have been worse than Mexico's.
Stolen revolution
I wish the regime would ask people the same questions!
The Iranian revolution of 79 was a good idea; it was for all the good reasons. Unfortunately, our revolution was stolen! We wanted freedom; we wanted sovereignty; we wanted to decide our own faith - non was realized! It is now worst than it was before. It is now worst than it has ever been. This regime is going to go and with it so will religion, once and for all!
Bad for my generation
Although one can debate and theorize the long term consequences of the 1979 revolution, practically speaking, its effect on my generation, 25-35 year olds, and on me in particular has been enormously negative.
The events that followed the 1979 revolution drove me away from my country, lowered my standard of living, and humiliated my beloved Iran in the eyes of the world.
Any event such as the 1979 revolution may eventually result in the growth and improvement of the society. The question is how quickly and in what time frame.
When I consider the time frame defined by my life and my generation's, which is what is most important to me, the 1979 revolution has been bad.
Another referendum
A referendum was organized soon after the Iranian revolution in 1979. An Islamic theocratic form of republic was chosen by the Iranian people in a landslide. In my opinion, this form of government was chosen in a revolutionary fervor by Iranians not realizing the consequences.
The Islamic government has been in effect for nearly 20 years in Iran and certainly has had a chance to prove itself. I propose another referendum so that the Iranian people may voice their opinion on the fruits of the Islamic Republic by voting for or against it.
Too general
The [survey] questions are extremely general.
Shah created Khomeini
The revolution in 1979 was due to many mistakes made by the Shah over a long period of time. The people backlashed at many decisions that the Shah made. But the thing people don't realize is that the Shah basically created the Ayatollah Khomeini.
The Shah knew if a foreign power took over, he would be seen in history as the man who lost the greatest civilization known to man. I think that this new Islamic Republic has taken us a step backwards and a step to the side, for we can take a new path now, one that is separate from the Shah, and one that is a lot more productive and free than the Islamic Republic.
I do not want to get too political, so I will just say that the Revolution destroyed a lot and will continue to destroy more and more unless something changes.
Farbod
Scarf as a flag
One could be proud of this revolution if it would not use the scarf as a flag to protect women from men's desires.
Pahlavis denied rights
I believe that the Islamic Revolution was the only possible way to overthrow an alienated government backed by outside super powers. The Pahlavi family and other ruling families had been denying equal rights and status for Iranians. They considered themselves as special people beyond any criticism.
The monopoly of the clergy over power was also a direct result of absence of political parties during Pahlavi rule. Both Reza Shah Pahlavi and Mohammad Reza Pahlavi got their absolute power by the help of clergy in 1304 (1925) and 1332 (1953) and they continued to support each other until the end of Pahlavi's rule.
Only Imam Khomeini and lower rank clerics were opposing Mohammad Reza Shah, and other Ayatollahs especially Ayatollah Shariatmadari and Ayatollah Golpayegani were not against Pahlavi dynasty. Grand Ayatollahs and Pahlavis were rivals and not in opposition. Both had based their power on the authority of Allah as "Zellollahs" and "Ayatollahs". Neither Ayatollahs nor Pahlavis acknowledged people's right.
Hojatol Eslam Khatami as a Khat-e-Imam is the true follower of Imam Khomeini and his supporters are hoping to re-establish the true Islamic Republic of Iran. Khatami and his supporters are against both monarchism and Mollataria.
Regards
Dr Asghar Abdi
Another learning step
The events in 1978 and 1979 which led to the downfall of the monarchy can be best described as a simple collapse of the previous system. As a whole, the 1978-79 movement was generally a phenomenon in which one group simply filled a void left by another group through the use of force and intimidation. There has been no worst consequence of the 1978-79 movement since nothing has changed. The best consequence of the 1978-79 movement has been that another learning step has been taken by the people of Iran in determining what they don't want in a government.
Deeply disappointed
I only can say that I like many others Iranians are deeply sad and disappointed of what happened in our land.
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