Iran's flawed democracy is still better than most of the political systems among other countries in the region. For the past few decades the morality police, prodded by religious literalism, have mandated women to cover themselves when they are out in public. This same religious literalism has impeded the potential of a country that has a large population, in a key geographic region, with oil and other natural resources.
Iran is in the midst of a presidential election that has stimulated much heated debate among the population about the failures of the current government in economic and political terms, and that has created a feeling of isolation. The isolation is more than a feeling, and it has limited the growth of the nation to something far less than its capabilities.
If the nation's leaders would set the minds and ambitions of the population free to learn, invent, communicate and express itself openly without the threat of political oppression or retribution then the people, 70% of them under the age of 30, would shock the world in a positive way.
They would start to make a significant contribution to the world economy. They have a large enough population to support a strong internal economy. They have more universities with a broader range of courses than most other countries in the region.
They have strong programs in science, medicine, engineering and more, areas that we need to re-emphasize. In California thousands of Persian engineers and other professionals that immigrated here with their diplomas from their homeland are major participants in all professions. I am confident this is consistent in other parts of the country.
The world was sitting at the edge of its seats during our presidential election because of the great impact that US politics and economics have on the global economy, environment and more. Because of the radical and inflammatory character of the current president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's potential positive impact there and elsewhere is also huge, should its energy be redirected. President Obama promoted the idea of hope and change in his campaign and the people of Iran are looking for no less in their future.
One other point. Many of the governments in the middle east are struggling internally with the role of women in their societies. The more progressive among them recognize that you cannot have a modern society, and compete economically while wasting 50% of your human resources.
Those in the region that encourage opportunities for women will fly past those that do not. The regional competition is every bit as significant as the global competition and it will be interesting for us, and vital for them, to see what posture the Iranians take in this regard.
Sheldon Liber is the CEO of a small private investment company and the principal for design and research at an architecture & planning firm. He writes the columns Chasing Value and Serious Money.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-10-2009 @ 6:31PM
william lindblad said...
Yes, interesting. They also have a very solid core of old school hard liners. It is a country divided and until they install a moderate government and rid themselves of their supreme religious council this internal controversy will continue. They also have the same problems as China with the work within the cities and the subsequent population shift. The hard line base is the countryside.
Sooner or later a new Mustafa Ataturk will be born.
6-10-2009 @ 9:51PM
ij70 said...
Kinda reminds me of USSR in late 1920s and early 1930s minus the issue of women equality. Too bad Iran has religious doctrine for state policy.
6-11-2009 @ 1:20PM
Robert Hogan said...
Reminds me of the United States prior to WWII. After WWII, the U.S. replaced Great Briton as the world's leading super power. Are we ready for Iran to replace the United States?
6-11-2009 @ 2:14PM
Sheldon L said...
RH,
I do not expect Iran to replace the US in any capacity. However, a free or more liberal Iran, based on it's size could replicate post war Germany.
6-18-2009 @ 4:58PM
Adena said...
I agree with your final point. In American universities, more woman than men are graduating.They also make up a large portion of the work force, and holding them back is a detrimental mistake. Women are often underestimated, even in America...
6-23-2009 @ 8:54AM
belavucica said...
In the current riot videos on this site and available on the web it is clear that some elements of protesters in Iran are acting violently. For example in the death of Iranians by the Basij office it is clear that one person sets the building on fire,another screams “they ran out of bullets attack the building” and someone else in the background throws a gasoline bomb at the Basij office. The Baisj and the military are Iranians also. This is not how Iran won the last regime change under the Shah. Iranians for the most part are peaceful protesters from what I have seen. In every video that folks are throwing rocks it is also clear a number of folks that stand in between the rock throwers and the police to stop the violence.
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