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Theocracy vs. Democracy
15-Apr-2010
Some months ago, on a bus ride from Edinburgh airport to St. Andrews in Scotland, I was sitting with a British gentleman who was going to the same conference as I was -on the historiography of Iran. I started talking to him about Iran. He is a historian who teaches in one of the U.S. universities. His field of study is the Middle East, in particular Iran. He told me that in a few months he would be organizing an event in honor of the late Ann Lambton, a well-known British scholar of Iran, a woman who traveled Iran by foot and who wrote voluminously about many aspects of the country, ranging from a study on Persian grammar to the history of the Qajar period to land reform under the Pahlavis.
Tall and rugged, Lambton was an intimidating teacher who suffered no fools—as some of her former students told me. She was also a close advisor to the British government and a good friend of Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden. She had told her government not to compromise in any way with the democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran, Dr. Mohammad Mosaddeq. Dr. Mosaddeq was a secular politician who had studied Law in France and Switzerland. What he saw in the West, the workings of a democracy, impressed him so much so that he wanted to apply it to his homeland. Mosaddeq had written his Ph.D. thesis on the law of inheritance in the Shi’a religion. He knew the ins and outs of religion and government. Of Qajar descent, he had grown up in nobility only to reject it. Highly influenced by his philanthropic mother, and raised in a liberal family, he came to realize that democracy was the best form of government for Iran. He had been imprisoned by Reza Shah for denouncing the latter’s dictatorial decrees, and at the age of 67, he was one of the oldest members of the Majlis. Soon after, by a majority vote, he became the Prime Minister of Iran.
Mosaddeq of course opposed British influence in Iran and in an act of insubordination, nationalized Iran’s oil to the outrage of the British. The subsequent history is well known. Mosaddeq was toppled; the Shah was brought back, giving years of lip service to those who helped regain his throne. But in 1979, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, like his father before him, was forced to leave the throne. The Iranian Revolution took place and the Imam came back from years of exile in Najaf by way of Neauphle-le-Chateau on an Air France jet. Millions were cheering while waiting for his arrival in the streets of Tehran. On the plane, the late ABC anchor, Peter Jennings, asked Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini how he felt returning to Iran after such a long absence. His reply was, “nothing,” showing a man with no emotions.
Why is looking back at history at this juncture so important not just for Iran but the entire Middle East? Why is it that the past always comes back to haunt us? Why is it that personalities like Ann Lambton and the role they played so vital in shaping the history of nations like Iran? Ann Lambton believed that for the British government to make any deals with Mosaddeq was a kiss of death. Like many of her friends in the British foreign office, she was short-sighted and only saw the immediate gains. She also advised her government to ally with the clergy. The American historian Roger Louis wrote, “While Ann Lambton did not write the blueprint for theocracy in Iran, she did suggest in 1951 that covert means be used to oust Muhammad Musaddiq. Her first choice as the replacement for the then-still-constitutionally-mandated Prime Minister, being Sayyid Zia Tabataba’i [the original owner of the compound which is now home to the notorious Evin prison], a pro-British conservative politician.”
Ann Lambton never returned to Iran after 1970; she did not like the Shah’s White Revolution or the outcome of the land reform. In many ways, the government she helped to bring to power disappointed her. In her obituary, after praising her work as unmatched by anyone of her peers, a scholar who knew the language and the people of Iran, David Morgan writes of his mentor: “The outcome was that Mossadeq was forced out of office by the royalists, with the support of the US and Britain, and imprisoned. Nevertheless, she [Lambton] had little time for the Shah, a disdain that was fully reciprocated; and she was initially sympathetic to the revolutionaries of 1979, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, though soon disillusioned.” In a briefing to the foreign office, Miss Lambton as she was called, had concluded that Americans "lack our experience or the psychological insight" on Iran. Was she right?
Why is Iran going through so much suffering and turmoil? Did foreign politicians and their advisors make mistakes in their judgment or did they know what they were doing? Even though PM Mosaddeq tactically allied with Ayatollah Kashani--the spiritual leader of many of today’s clergymen who later decided to support the Shah--he was a firm believer in the separation of state and religion. He knew the devastating impact religion could have if it is incorporated into daily life and politics. He knew that when given power and authority, the clerical establishment, especially the Shi’a, will be the worst kind of statesmen. When someone proposed Mehdi Bazargan (who later became the provisional Prime Minister after 1979) as his Minister of Culture, he rejected the idea, saying that if Bazargan, because of his religiosity was put in this position, he would put a scarf on every Iranian girl and woman. He respected the late Bazargan who was a man of integrity, but not for that post. His vision was correct. He had read and lived the history of Iran.
Today, there is a serious discourse among Iranian intellectuals, secularists as well as religiously minded ones, about whether Iran should have a secular government or continue on a more moderate path of religious democracy. This discussion is even more relevant after the rise of the Green movement. Should a semi- religious state evolve if and when the concept of Velayat-e- Faqih is gone? I think that advocates of the idea of a religious state, members of Washington think-tanks or scholars, are mistaken to advise their governments that Iran is better off under religious rule. I believe that today, many Iranians, with the exception of the supporters of the hardliners- Ahmadi Nejad, Bassij and the Revolutionary Guards -have lost their love affair with an Islamic state, if they ever had one.
The question we face is what went wrong in Iran? Could the rule of the clerics have been avoided? And how can we arrive at a consensus on the best form of government for Iran? These questions are pressing both from the perspective of leftist and liberal intellectuals as well as of those religious scholars who believed or still believe that a theocracy or even a semi-progressive religious state can be a viable model of governance. But more importantly, the impasse remains with the West, notably America and Britain, who have interfered in Iranian politics in various capacities by ignoring and undermining nationalist/ secular forces. They, more than any other Western power, should take the blame for helping Khomeini come to power and throttle an entire society under his reactionary idea of an “Islamic government.”
That is not a conspiracy theory as many of us Middle Easterners are accustomed to believe in but the stuff of reality: if the West had cooperated with nationalist and secular forces in Iran, this tragedy in Iran could possibly have been avoided. But the West was shortsighted; Reagan called the Mujahedin freedom fighters and allied with them against the atheist Soviet Union; today’s Taliban might have never come to power and the Afghan nation might have been spared much mayhem and misery if the Americans had not supported these reactionary forces. In Iran too, in its greed for profit and in its drive to stop the influence of the “left,” the West turned its back on its real and potential partners. Today, the Iranian saga continues.
Ann Lambton said that she would never go to Iran if she had to wear the hejab. “I have never worn a chador in my life, and I do not intend to start now”, she said. Lambton maybe resting in peace in her grave somewhere in the English countryside, but today, the children of Iran are paying the price; most of the times, their graves are not even marked and their women have had to wear the hejab since 1979.
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Su-Su-l
by Mardom Mazloom on Fri Apr 16, 2010 11:36 AM PDTI was in Iran last summer and participated in some manifestations. Where were you then?
This summer I'll go back to Iran and if there will be any other manifestations I'll intend them in the measure of possible. This summer, where will you sit to give Iranians in the diaspora your smart advices?
Cut to the Chase, Democracy, no Contest!
by eroonman on Fri Apr 16, 2010 11:35 AM PDTThe only problem with theocracy is that it is based on untruth. The untruth is that there is a God in the first place. Clearly, there isn't, otherwise we would have by now seen proof of his or her or it's existence, by his or her or it's own hand. We haven't, the pitch has always been by advantage-seeking mortals, too lazy to get a real day job. That's why EVERY SINGLE RELIGION CHARGES FOR IT'S SERVICES!!!!
Democracy on the other hand is the freest form of government invented so far (Although Anarchy has a bad rap). ensuring through civil law and civil rights, that each and person is treated fairly, and as a group, the society that embraces democracy, moves forward in it's continuing EVOLUTION AS A CIVILIZATION.
Don't get me wrong, religion, God, or my personal belief that a Giant Peach created the Universe, has it's place. And that place is in your head and in your heart. Just keep it to yourself please.
I will never trust a priest to do my talking to God for me. I did that once, and it cost me my home(land).
Su
by Jahanshah Javid on Fri Apr 16, 2010 11:34 AM PDTI have sent you an email. Please read it. Thanks.
Let's wait and see
by su on Fri Apr 16, 2010 11:19 AM PDTEvery government support and opposition. During 2004 US election 51% voted for Bush and 49.5 voted for Kerry. Same in France, Germany, etc. No government can make any one group happy. Also same in 200 US election.
In Iran is the same way. I truly believe IRI will go down sooner or later (They have diged their own grave). But not with Iranians sitting on their fat ass outside of Iran telling Iranians inside to go and get killed. IRI’ internal domestic polices has been disaster. Oil at $85 per barrel, we still have no fucking health care. We are selling our gas to Europe and 5 northern states lose Gas because Turkmenistan decides to shut down our gas supplies. We have corruption like never before, etc. I can go on for days. But I live in US and I fight for my rights in US.
If you all believe in what you say, then lead. Lead for what you believe. Go to Tehran and help the opposition topple IRI. One additional person is what they have plus one.
But if you really do not believe in what you are saying, then I suggest be quiet. Let Iranian inside Iran fight for their destiny.
P.S. BTW, If you are waiting for anniversary of election, then I suggest you purchase your airfare now so you will be there with the people not thousands miles away telling them what they should do.
Thank you for insightful
by Bavafa on Fri Apr 16, 2010 11:16 AM PDTThank you for insightful article and sorry to see an opportunity for an enlighten debate has turned to an infighting argument.
SU: I agree that it is first and foremost for the Iranian inside Iran to decide of what sort of government/regime they should choose, although Iranian outside of Iran ought to have a say in this as well just as vildemose has pointed out. But sadly to say this choice is not available to the Iranians inside Iran. The options seem to be either the current system or the Evin prison. A good number of young people have actually chosen the Evin prison.
Sargord Prioz: I agree with notion that an independent government from foreign manipulation and influence is needed for Iran, but that can not come at the price of torture, kill and imprisonment of its own citizen. Also, please keep in mind that the independence of the current system is still debatable but their brutality, torture, killing and imprisonment of its own citizen is well documented and not debatable any more.
Mehrdad
Su,
by Mardom Mazloom on Fri Apr 16, 2010 11:06 AM PDTOh really! Just some Noth Tehranis who are unhappy with this regime?LOL.
So, why IRI had to crush any protests last summer if it was due to some insignificant protesters?
It seems that, it's you who are far from the reality! There were protests, after the June coup, then in July (18 Tir), then in Aban the 13th, then in Qods day and in Ashura when the regime simply pissed in itself, in 4-shanbeghh souri, and that ALL AROUND the country.
And you know what? The regime is deep in trouble as the one year anniversary of the coup is coming and there will be more protests on these dates + those that IRI thugs killed our brothers in the streets and that all around Iran.
Su, what's amazing is your
by vildemose on Fri Apr 16, 2010 11:18 AM PDTSu, what's amazing is your astounding igonrance.
Most of us here in diaspora have every right. Most of us either have lost a family member killed, and fought in the Iran-Iraq war or killed , persecuted, tortured, imprisoned by your beloved IRI in Evin prison. Most of our parents build the infrastructure of that country that you enjoy. It was their sweat and hard work that made Iran what is today. We have given to Iran much more than all the moftkhor at the trough of velyate vaghih.
Your vevak talking points are old and boring...
Free
by Jahanshah Javid on Fri Apr 16, 2010 09:48 AM PDTI have sent you an email. Please read it. Thanks.
Free: SU loves corruption and plundering of Iranian national wea
by vildemose on Fri Apr 16, 2010 09:46 AM PDTiranpressnews
Su
by Free on Fri Apr 16, 2010 09:27 AM PDTwrites, "The ones (Majority) in Iran are happy with what they have..."
They're happy? Really? "Happy" as in happy with having the most heroin addicts per capita in the world, happy with 600,000 prostitutes in Tehran alone, 40% of which are married? Happy with obscene corruption, massive unemployment, massive inflation, massive brain-drain, massive loss of prestige and reputation? Happy with massive mismanagement of the economy? Happy with having BILLIONS of dollars worth of Iranian resources shipped to Lebanese Hezbollahi and Hamas (as in $18 Billion in just one shipment that was confiscated in Turkey last summer)? They're happy with having children hung in public squares? They're happy with having their men and women raped in prisons all over Iran? Happy with having the most exectutions in the world next to China, a country with 15 times more people than Iran? I can go on and on...
Moderate path of religious
by vildemose on Fri Apr 16, 2010 08:35 AM PDTModerate path of religious democracy"??
That's where I stopped reading the whole propaganda piece...
Sargord
by cyclicforward on Fri Apr 16, 2010 06:28 AM PDTOne way or another IRI will be brought down and criminals who supported it such as yourself will be held responsible for the actions they committed.
As usual your version of history is myopic and wrong, Ms Amini
by fozolie on Fri Apr 16, 2010 06:27 AM PDTMiss Lambton was an enemy of Iran. She was overtly and covertly engaged in (directing propaganda) against our country. I have read your stuff about Mossadegh as well and to me you are a zealot who refuses to acknowledge reality, namely the utter failure of Mossadeq. It is pointless talking to a fanatic.
Mr. Fozolie
To Free , Rusta and Co…
by ali_UK on Fri Apr 16, 2010 06:01 AM PDTNot a very good representaion of monarchist!! Amini states , 1- “…Mosaddeq was toppled; the Shah was brought back, giving years of lip service to those who helped regain his throne …”
And you say
I doubt very much if Constitutional Monarchy will ever be a serious option considered by the people in Iran.
Amazing
by su on Fri Apr 16, 2010 04:19 AM PDTThis is amazing. You are living in the West and trying to determine what is good for iranians in Iran.
During last years's few tehrani's protest because they want to drink, dress any way they can and have no respect for millions of religious and hard working iranians living in Iran, I witnessed more dissatisfaction from Iranian abroad than inside iran. The same Iranian who stayed silent or had no tongue during Pahlavi's regime.
What gives you external iranian the rights to say what is good for iranians living in Iran? If you feel you need to voice your concern, then why don't you guys go to Iran and show your concern rather than sitting in West and trying to tell what is good.
This is the problem with Iran. The ones (Majority) in Iran are happy with what they have except a few from North part of Tehran and few hundreds who live in the West.
This is why IRI crushed the tehrani protest last summer and they will rule iran for another 31 years.
More forged history by Ms Amini
by Farah Rusta on Fri Apr 16, 2010 04:02 AM PDTAt least her spelling of Mosaddeq has improved!
FR
Ms. Amini
by David ET on Fri Apr 16, 2010 03:34 AM PDTThank you for the insightful analysis :
//iransecular.blog.com/2010/04/16/theocracy-or-democracy/
Sargord
by Free on Fri Apr 16, 2010 09:04 PM PDTwrites: "a government able to retain its independence from foreign manipulation and influence, while under such threat as it exists today. For the past 31 years, this has been the case."
If you read between the lines, the self-proclaimed "Sargord" believes that because the IRI has been "threatened" from the outside for 31 years, it is quite justified in raping, violating, stealing, torturing and murdering tens of thousands of its own people just to secure Iran's "independence."
By the way, this is the exact same rational that Saddam Hussein used to maintain a brutal grip on his nation.
So what's a 100,000 murdered Nedas, Sohrabs and Zahra Kazamis, that's the human cost of maintaining "independence" under the IRI, and by "independence" Sargord means absolute monopoly over Iran's resources.
Ms. Amini,
by Free on Fri Apr 16, 2010 01:13 AM PDTthe idol worshipper, the idol being Prince Mohammad Mossadegh, writes, "The question we face is what went wrong in Iran? Could the rule of the clerics have been avoided? "
No, madam, these are clearly not the questions we face now. In fact, by and large, these are irrelevant questions for this time. The real question RIGHT NOW is, namely, how do we get rid of the rapist regime in Tehran, and then, what do we replace it with, Constitutinal Monarchy or Democratic Republic.
Of course the revolution could have been avoided, but I'm hip to your game and the trap you're trying to set, so as to blame everything that went wrong in Iran on the West and the Shah, of course, yet again (as if the Tudeh and Jebh-e-Meli had nothing to do with the rise of Akhund Khomeini). Mind you, it was the bankrupt Jebh-e-Meli that sold its soul to the Devil first in 1963 when it backed Khomeini's regressive platform, even though they fully knew that Khomeini was against women's rights as early as 1963, and then again in 1979, when its craven leadership, headed by Mr. Sanjabi, went to Paris to endorse Khomeini, with Sanjabi kissing the mad mullah's hand, hoping to become Iran's first post-Shah prime minister.
But it's always the Shah and western characters like Ann Lambton, and it's never the fault of short-sighted men like Sanjabi or Kashani or Ebrahim Yazdi, or god forbid, Mossadegh himself, who made so many bone-headed mistakes while in power. I'm not denying the man's patriotism, just his abilities as a politician.
Interestingly, people like you, Ms. Amini, remind me of that old pathetic silent movie actress in Sunset Blvd., "Norma Desmond," played by Gloria Swanson, always rehashing the past and how much she missed dancing with Valentino.
Well, Prince Mohammad Mossadegh is your Rudoph Valentino, and frankly, it's a little creepy and sad. One of these days I hope you get to have your "Are you ready for your close-up" moment so that you can finally set Prince Mohammad Mossadegh aside, preferably in your past, and step into the future, finally.
What is the Best Form of
by Sargord Pirouz on Fri Apr 16, 2010 12:46 AM PDTWhat is the Best Form of Government for Iran?
Simple: a government able to retain its independence from foreign manipulation and influence, while under such threat as it exists today. For the past 31 years, this has been the case.