Iran is a deeply religious society. Of the Shah's mistakes nepotism, autocracy, and repression were fought by communists and liberals for decades with no success, but it was his attack on the religious establishment that led to his almost overnight demise. Full Story »
Posted by Kaizar Campwala
Doesn't offer much in the way of data, but does an exceptional job explaining the cultural attitudes in Iran that would suggest an Ahmadinejad victory. For decades, Barzegar argues, Western media have underestimated the piousness of a large portion of the Iranian population, and this has affected their coverage of Moussavi's likely loss.
“How did Mousavi lose?” seems to be less a problem of the Iranian election commission and more a matter of bad perception rooted in the stubborn refusal to ... More »
No numbers, so no proof that the Iranian election was or wasn't stolen. But Barzegar explains the context in which Ahmedinejad could have won in a provocative and compelling way.
Thoughtful perspective from a PHD candidate at Emory University in Atlanta, commenting from Iran about the recent election. He points to factual evidence to suggest that most Iranians expected Ahmedinejad to win, and tries to understand why the global news media and Mousavi supporters are so stunned by the election's outcome. Well reasoned commentary.
This is a highly recommended opinion piece. Barzegar points out a history of the west not understanding the dynamics of the Iranian polity. He claims that western observers miss the deeply religious nature of the Iranian people, and the attraction of Ahmedinejad as a corruption fighting everyman.
Of course, the rather real possibility of voter fraud exists and one must wait in the coming weeks to see how these allegations unfold. But one should recall that in three ... More »
Long duree. The writer articulates a useful context born of an in-depth comprehension of the social structures at play. This is so much more than the thin veneer that characterizes much of contemporary reportage.
Retrieving Comments
