Iran: Internal Social and Political Dynamics
| Date | Friday, March 13, 2009 |
| Location | Cannon House Office Building, Room 441 |
The Security for a New Century Study Group was honored to host Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, author of Women Building Peace: What They Do, Why It Matters, for a discussion of social movements within Iranian civil society. Her presentation, which focused on the role of women and the political culture of civil society, was underscored by the idea that the United States needs to “widen the lens when looking at Iran.”
Women have played a key part in Iranian politics since the revolution in 1979, when the traditional religious sector mobilized them to reject the west and return to Islam because it would protect their rights and family values. Due to decades without political representation, women have developed creative methods of activism. The social policies they wish to change, however, have sparked opposition from the government because they imply a change to Islamic law, which creates heated debate in the political sphere.
The activism exemplified by women in Iran indicates a broader trend in civil society toward moderate yet vocal dissent. The population’s most significant grievance is poor economic conditions, but there is also criticism of President Ahmedinejad’s foreign policy; these claims are thrown into the political space from all segments of society, including the professional urban elite as well as the rural working classes that were considered the vanguard of revolution.
Despite a shift toward openness within Iran’s internal discourse, there remains a strong dissatisfaction with the position of the United States toward Iran. The 2006 program to fund and support democracy was met with opposition from both the government and the people because it was seen as an attempt to provoke regime change where there was no impetus for one. Civil society feels that outside interference does more harm than good because it hardens the leadership’s perspective and tightens their grip on society.
The lack of diplomatic relations exacerbates the United States’ misperceptions about Iran and does not allow for healthy exchange. The Iranians may disagree with their government but find it fundamentally legitimate, which means that they turn inward when they feel attacked from the outside. Iranian civil society, as exemplified by the activities of women, sees itself as post-revolutionary and wary of crisis and upheaval. They seek “evolution, not revolution.” Ultimately, the groundwork exists within civil society to promote engagement and healthy relations. While constructive internal dissent is paving the way for increased openness, Ms. Anderlini says that US misperceptions could debilitate this growth process if a healthier relationship is not established.
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