the myth of ‘western rationality’

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the myth of ‘western rationality’
by Niloufar Parsi
22-Apr-2010
 

it is clear that there is a major ideological barrier to real dialogue between iran and the west. mistranslations are common, misunderstanding is encouraged, and it is easy to get the feeling that there is a strategy in place to ensure confusion and animosity instead of goodwill. i tend to see more of this mischief emanating from the west, but that is probably related to the fact that i live here, and it is easier to catch the lies on this side. iran is probably just as guilty.

but there is this one specific western myth that is definitely a big part of the problem: the myth of western ‘rationality’ that presupposes many positive qualities associated with the west and negative ones associated with the east, including iran.

in a different context and time, it would be called racism, but i expect that definition will come later. a bit like how the slave trade was first totally ‘justified’ by religious, racial and other myths, and then later described as ‘racist’. at some point, many westerners believed that their genes or skin colour gave them some sort of spiritual and/or intellectual superiority to other ‘races’, and enslaving people or taking over their countries was more like a favour, a civilizing effect. they sugar-coated this kind of racist self-deception with terminology such as ‘the white man’s burden’, and a host of other ideological justifications. the act of plunder was described as some kind of civilizing mission.

remnants of this kind of mind game remain today in the western discourse on iran. the ordinary american is more likely to see iran and iranians as ‘irrational’ beings who cannot be trusted with a nuclear bomb. but they are a little more subtle than that. knowing full well the racist connotations in openly labeling other countries and cultures as ‘irrational’, they apply further sugar coating by going one step removed and using a term like ‘dangerous’ instead.

if we look out for the terms ‘danger’, ‘threat’ and ‘risk’ in any report or speech on iran by israeli and western media and politicians, it becomes quite clear that the agenda is for the conflict situation to persist – particularly, in the minds of their own citizens. the politicians themselves are fully aware of realities on the ground.

what is this reality? well, we all have our own perceptions, but mine is this:

iran is and has been acting far more rationally than her enemies would like to admit. her priorities have included
-          protecting iran and the regime
-          challenging the power of israel – a proven regional warmonger - and building alliances in the region to contain israel and her allies and arming them in order to create a buffer zone for iran
-          working against american interventionism and warmongering in the region. building a global alliance against american imperialism
-          growing her influence in iraq once saddam’s regime was removed, and preparing the ground to take over as the biggest foreign sponsor once the americans leave iraq,
-          same as above for afghanistan only with less success
-          building up her own armaments industry,
-          finding ways to defeat or weaken sanctions,
-          building up political capital among muslim nations,

-          developing nuclear capability mainly within internationally allowed rules, but remaining vigilant of the iaea and other un agencies as they often behave like tools of american imperialism, and
-          adopting, and speaking from a position of strength rather than servitude

nothing about iran’s regional policy is particularly ‘irrational’. iran could have been more strategic and effective, and could have taken a more conciliatory path. all that may have been possible if one allows for the remote possibility that her foes would have reacted differently. but khatami perhaps proved the opposite.

in any case, while the iranian approach might have been better, it has not been irrational. on the contrary, iran’s military expenditure as a percentage of gdp and her overall tendency to war is far more humane and rational than that of the us or israel. iran’s military architecture is designed and built for defensive purposes. the us military is designed for offence, so much so that they could not respond effectively to a natural disaster such as hurricane katrina at home.

in other words, the us military structure is designed for plunder and loot in the name of ‘rationality’, ‘democracy’ and ‘human rights’. take your pick.

truth is, we are all equally irrational!

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vildemose

VPK: I missed Malachi'

by vildemose on

VPK: I missed Malachi' comments. What was he saying?


vildemose

NP: LOL, Now, I'm a mojahed

by vildemose on

NP: LOL, Now, I'm a mojahed and I don't know muhc about their ideology. hahaha

NP: There is no anger dear but disgust at cirmianl IRI supporters. If IRI doesn't disgust you then you're as complicit as they are.

If you're not a marxist then you're an Islamist? What do you call yourself??

NP: you're not fooling anyone being coquettish. You're as pathetic as Jaleho..


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

Manoucher

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

well said I mean Damet Garm!


Niloufar Parsi

vildemose

by Niloufar Parsi on

the only islamist/marxists that i have heard of are the mujahedin, but i doubt you are aware of their ideology. you sound a lot like them though in the way you let anger turn you blind.


Manoucher Avaznia

بنرس عزیز؛

Manoucher Avaznia


 .
ما فرد معتبری نیستیم که اعتبار بدهیم.  تحت تاثیر مباحث این گفتار نظری دادیم. حالا، اگر ناسازگار آمد، شما ببخشید.  این عین همان چیزیست که آزادیش نامیدید و در مفهوم بیانی کماکان قابل قبول است. تا حال هم کسی تعریف قابل قبولی از آزادی نداده است.  دلیلش هم وجود تناقض در کنه چنین تعریفی است.  به محض اینکه آزادی را تعریف کنید، دیگر آزادی نیست.  بلکه، چهارچوب است و قانون. با کمال احترام، در بارۀ چهارچوب و قانون می توان سخن گفت؛ همچنانکه می گویید، ولی در بارۀ عدم چهارچوب و عدم قانونمندی نمی توان سخن گفت

با احترام


David ET

benross

by David ET on

yes it is as simple as that and if an area needs outside help for any purpose, it should be the business of international community as a whole and not USA only. Affairs of the world should be determined by local people and beyond that by regional and international efforts and not in Washington, Tel Aviv, Beijing , Moscow or Tehran...

 


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

benross Jan

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

the opposition is not taken seriously because Prince Rupert I mean Murdoch does not want it to be. Did you read recent post by Malachi? The garbage from US media is so far out that idiots all over the world are believing it.


vildemose

MK:  What kind of communist

by vildemose on

MK:  What kind of communist are you?? Do you mind dislcosing that?


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

David Jan

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

I don't understand why people get so upsed at us. I oppose Islamism not Iran. I am also well aware of US actions and the wrongs they do. I think some put anyone who opposes IRI in one group and automatically think we are pro US wars. 

I have said and will say again: I oppose US meddling in the affairs of Iran. I also oppose Islamism. It is not our religion or our way. It was imposed on us by a very brutal war and a horrible and murderous occupation. Some people say the occupation was benevolent: yeh right! They should read what happened to Estakhr. The Islamist pigs burned it to the ground Abarmard take notice! 

This thing about being anti US is stupid. The enemy of my opponet is not necessesily my friend. I want a free Iran; governed by Iranians not Islamist or Amercians. Just us ourselves. No more of this.

VPK


benross

U.S <...> must bring ALL

by benross on

U.S <...> must bring ALL troops home from everywhere 

Yes. I just visited the local high school here and they were saying the same thing.

... and Ramin Tork wonders why the opposition can't be taken seriously.


vildemose

MK: How are you going to

by vildemose on

MK: How are you going to defeat the 'US Imperialism'? DO you have a written Manifesto??? Your lust for war and death is disgusting.

 

 


vildemose

NP: You're right, I don't

by vildemose on

NP: You're right, I don't trust you and your ilk for a minute. I don't even bother to read your Islamist/marxist diatribes most of the time.


David ET

VPK

by David ET on

Those like Kharmagas are upset because I do not fall in to the trap of distraction from IR crimes and change of the regime and therefore make baseless accusations.

My position on US foreign policy is very clear and repeated often and that is US should stop acting as police and bully of the world and must bring ALL troops home from everywhere and leave the affairs of the countries to its own people and to the world community as a whole. I have repeated that US should act more like Canada when it comes to foreign issues.

As of Nov 2006 I wrote "US must declare a specific date for full withdrawl from Iraq and notify United Nations that they should assume responsibility of security of Iraq. The withdrawl date must be very soon and has to be a rapid one......Bring the soldiers home for Christmas! "

In February 2007 I wrote "pull out not expand".. "The stay of US troops in Iraq not only is the cause of more US and Iraqi casualties but any attempts to militarily engage with Iranian Regime not only will further escalate the already messed up situation in the region as well as killing many innocent Iranians but it also would strengthen the Islamic regime in Iran and would delay and weaken any voices of democracy within Iran."

I also have repeatedly opposed Obama's involvelemt in Afghnistan . Here is my commentary titled: "Mr. Obama ENOUGH of YOUR war" in August 2009: "President Obama, your Afghanistan objectives are so simple minded that I don’t even know where to begin. Just a reminder that both September 11 and the presidential campaign are in the past!"

In October 2009 I wrote: "In Afghanistan we are technically fighting Taliban/AlQaeda who have political ties to Pakistan, that we support with millions of dollars every year. So we are basically fighting ourselves! This war is a another sad mistake."

So the point is that US foreign policies continue to be wrong , but IR and its supporters have no moral authority to use that as a scapegoat or to sugarcoat their repressive regime and support of terrorism and extremism.

In May 2009 I warned: "On June 12 the decision of a potential war on Iran is determined, but not in Tel Aviv or Washington but in the polling stations of Iran. If by popular vote or by some other mysterious way, either names of Mahmoud Ahmeadinejad or Mohsen Rezaei (extremist former revolutionary guard chief who is on the Interpol top wanted list) comes out of the ballots of the Islamic Republic, short of any major new developments on either side, a war triangle of Israel/US/Iran will most likely be inevitable.." 

The post election events, delayed this but now that the regime was able to reestablish itself, the outlook of attacks on Iran soil becomes more possible.

I warned In Sep 2009 :"taking the country down with'm".. "War may be the last way out of the spiral collapse of the regime. Antagonizing Israel, US and the West against regime’s nuclear policy is an effective card that the regime may use to create such atmosphere. There are also those in Israel, US etc. who see their benefit in such atmosphere who may wish to ignite such friction. Possibility of an upcoming war exists strongly. Those in power in Iran may very well choose to take the whole country down the path of destruction before they let go of power."


vildemose

IRI: LOL, Coming from you, I

by vildemose on

IRI: LOL, Coming from you, I take that as a compliment. Now, go torture and rape some more prisoners...


Niloufar Parsi

kharmagas-e gol

by Niloufar Parsi on

i was just teasing you. wasn't meant as a criticism. honest! actually you pay attention almost religiously ;)

hope mamad shows up too. 

FB jan: i totally agree with your (and vpk's) position that we pick and choose what makes sense to us from different schools of thought. KM, however, has this unnerving ability to pick out where the various positions lose their internal coherence. am not sure about the background to this particular case, but am keen to see how it turns out...


benross

Gentelmen

by benross on

Niloofar is in support of IRI. Look at the list of her blogs. For heaven sake, put the politics aside. Do you consult the coach of the other team about how to design your game plan against his team in a football match?

FREEDOM , does this word sound familiar to you? Do you see this word in any argument that she and her ilks put forward? any at all? You know why? Because she already has it. Thanks to the countries which provided her that freedom and that she doesn't stop to trash. So she can run her business. Fuck the rest.

And no Manoochehr. I don't need anybody to accredit me Iranian identity. I know who I am. And I know who she is.

Peace off 


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

MK

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

Please explain your problem with David's position on secularism. I am fully in support of Iran and a truly representative and secular Iranian government. No more cheating or pre screening the candidates. Iranian people must pick their own leaders. Not based on religion but based on real devotion to Iran: the only thing that really matters. No more putting Palestine or Lebanon first. Only Iran!

Mr. Hitchens is an asshole of the prime kind. Why do you compare David to him?


marhoum Kharmagas

those who want to repackage domination (to FB)

by marhoum Kharmagas on

FB, by no means I was unfair to VPK. Indeed if you scroll down this very same blog, you'll see I was the first one who expressed his agreement with VPK when VPK made a good statement against the right wing extremists who were attacking Niloufar. Having said that, unlike what one thought I "pay attention". I have had and I do have disagreements with VPK regarding his support for likes of ET (and VPK confirmed his support for ET)

Now, VPK may not know what he is supporting when he says he supports ET (and I could very well go for that), but I do have fundamental issues with likes of ET. In short I see ET as someone whose objective is to repackage, sugar caot and sell AIPAC/US domination of middle east (like the Trotskist Christopher Hitchens- the staunch supporter of Iraq war-----).

BTW, I thank you for questioning me ..., I hope this opens a debate in something that Mr. Avaznia talked about (regarding secularists), I also like to see Mammad's take on this (if hopefully he comes around).


Niloufar Parsi

منوچهر خان

Niloufar Parsi


اکثریت قریب به اتفاق دل در گرو ایران دارند

بسیار دلنشین گفتی. یاد  این شعر افتادم،  

در اين درگه که گهگه کهکه و که که شود ناگه

نشو غره به امروزت که از فردا نه ای آگه

Peace


Niloufar Parsi

IRI

by Niloufar Parsi on

vildemose tends to lose it from time to time, but she is cool. rosie too, if you read between the lines, and despite her occasional tendency to over-scrutinise the fine print, is reaching out to the likes of you and no fear.

it is a tricky business translating thoughts and feelings into coherent bundles of written information reflecting the intended message especially when there are so many factors involved. misunderstandings are rife in this place. the one thing that can save us and help us move in a positive direction is to have a little bit of trust in each other's intentions. easier said than done though...

Peace


Niloufar Parsi

maziar khan

by Niloufar Parsi on

values do not have nationalities.

as for 'every thing is great in iran', no one said so. but let's be a little fairer about our criticisms. we will be taken more seriously that way.


Fouzul Bashi

marhoum kharmagas

by Fouzul Bashi on

Geer daadi baba, tou keh baA EnsaAf boodi, chetOur shod? :)

MPK is telling the truth.  I myself agree with some positions of some individuals and strongly disagree with other positions they hold.  He says and I have seen him do the same.  Kiss and make good;)


Manoucher Avaznia

نیلوفر عزیز؛

Manoucher Avaznia


بحث جالبی را با معیارهای کمّی و قابل سنجش و قابل بحث پیش می بری.  از نوشته های مخالفانی که با برهان گفتگو را پیش می برند هم بهره ها بردیم.  به باور این حقیر، اکثریت قریب به اتفاق دل در گرو ایران دارند اگرچه گهگاه سخنانی تلخ بر زبان آورند.  خانواده ای که در آن بگو مگو نباشد در حقیقت خانواده ای مرده است. همین کشاکش نشان زنده بودن خانوادۀ ایرانی است و مایه امید و نشاط فراوان.

 

با درود


IRI

Khanum Parsi

by IRI on

Looks from here that Vildemose is jealous because you are (MUCH) more intelligent that her and not as wish washy/ flip flop as her. It's hard to try to be a person who is 24/7 talking without saying much as some have suggested. kb (khandeye boland)

Now let's wait for Was Rosie to come and try to make sense of my comment ;)


maziar 58

DBLE. STANDARDS

by maziar 58 on

how can an eastern (middle eastern) use western's idiom to manipulate the wastern values and then try to re-sell those taughts back to middle eastern ?  that a great talent..............

plain english MASTER OF BU...SH...

Iranians are suffering under inflation,unemployment, addictions,prostitutions,corruptions and the list can go for ever.

And here some un-named with KERESHMEH try to convince every thing is great in Iran,don't worry be happy ,MULLAHS will not get off the mulles once saddled  (YA KHAR BAYAD BEMIRAD, YA MOLLA ) I Hope molla and its supporters.      Maziar


David ET

بند باز بعد از سقوط

David ET


 آیا با در نظر گرفتن شرایط مخاطره آمیز بین المللی از یک طرف و تشدید سرکوب، شکنجه، دستگیری و محدودیتهای روز افزون در داخل ایران زمان آن فرا نرسیده است که تمام نیروهای ازادیخواه برای یک بار هم شده با کنار گذاشتن دگم های ایدئولوژیک و سیاسی، دست به اقدامی هماهنگ در جهت افشا و مبارزه با نقض گسترده حقوق بشر در ایران حرکتی یکدست و هماهنگ در سراسر جهان تدارک ببینند

//iransecular.blog.com/archives/744 

     


Veiled Prophet of Khorasan

MK

by Veiled Prophet of Khorasan on

 

For a marhoom you sure talk a lot :-) I am not in anyone's camp except for the fortress of Muqanna.

I said before from time to time over specific issues I agree with various people. On other issues I may disagree. I support David's Secularist call you bet. 


vildemose

my bad

by vildemose on

You're not a diva??lol


Niloufar Parsi

vildemose

by Niloufar Parsi on

that's just childish.


vildemose

NP: I'm not suggesting

by vildemose on

NP: I'm not suggesting anything to you. You're an ideolgoue impervious to facts and reasons that don't coroborate your perspective and agenda. Most of your arguments are not in good faith or you're just a diva, a prima donna,  not interested in anyone or anything else but you and yourself...lol