Revolution from below: Iran

Tutorial presentation

Revolution -> S Huntington A revolution is a rapid, fundamental and violent domestic change in the dominant values and myths of a society, in its political institutions, social structure, leadership and government activity and politics. + accompanied in part and carried through by class-based revolts from below the nongoverning classes . (Theda Skocpol) ***Preconditions of a revolution*** 1) Huntington s gap theory in societies where economic developments outpaces the institution building of an incumbent regime are most prone to experience political instability: Under Pahlavis, the Iranian economy was modernized, but the state, despite its expansion in its size and role retained its autocratic and traditional essence. 2) Jamie Davies J-curve hypothesis revolutions are likely to occur when a period of economic development and, which increases expectations, is followed by a period of sharp reversal, which widens the gap between expectation and gratification. In late 1970s, the state s oil revenues were funneled into the economy, which, in turn, became vulnerable to price fluctuations in the international markets and experienced unpredictable cycles of expansion and contraction. 3) The support linkage between a dependent Third World state and its foreign supporters is, or at least is supposed, to be weakened. The prerevolutionary Iran was dependent on the United States since the overthrow of Mossadeq in 1953. However, after the election of Jimmy Carter and promulgation of the human rights policy in 1977 in the USA, Iran s supportive link has weakened. 4) The existence of revolutionaries that will articulate a revolutionary ideology that is understandable to the masses and contains a utopian ingredient efficient opposition. Ayatollah Khomeini the symbol of the revolution that managed to promote a revolutionary ideology (Shi ism Islam): calling for the overthrow of the monarchy, the establishment of an Islamic government, the return of all exiles, the protection of the religious minorities, the revival of agriculture, and the delivery of social justice to the deprived masses. Once the Shah s began to loosen its repressive policies, his opponents mobilized the discontent of masses against the monarchy. The ulama proved the most effective group in leading the revolutionary ideals. All social classes of Iran united against the Shah s autocracy: aristocrats, bazaar class, clerics, peasants, urban workers, skilled workers, professional middle class and students.