{"id":255752,"date":"2022-02-14T08:00:22","date_gmt":"2022-02-14T13:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/?p=255752"},"modified":"2023-02-13T22:04:45","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T21:04:45","slug":"a-revolution-that-succeeded-to-abolish-monarchy-but-failed-to-secure-freedom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ncr-iran.org\/en\/blog\/op-ed\/a-revolution-that-succeeded-to-abolish-monarchy-but-failed-to-secure-freedom\/","title":{"rendered":"1979:Revolution That Succeeded To Abolish Monarchy, But Was Hijacked"},"content":{"rendered":"

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During uprising against Shah’s dictatorial rule protesters carry a banner in support of late PMOI founders.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Revolution is the last resort to bring about reforms that people yearn for. Revolutions have specific historical objectives. Some, like the American Revolution, are quite successful. Others, like the Iranian Revolution of 1979, fail to secure their core objectives for a variety of complex reasons.<\/p>\n

Iran\u2019s 1979 revolution was in the spirit of the 1906 constitutional revolution and the 1951-53 national movement under Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq. The primary goal of the 1906 revolution was to limit the power of absolute monarchs through a change in the constitution and formation of Majlis, or the parliament. However, Reza Mirpanj, later assuming “Pahlavi” as his last name, became the main instrument for reversing the democratization process and for re-establishing absolute monarchy. Years later, due to his burgeoning alliance with Nazi Germany, the Allies removed him from power in 1941 and crowned his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.<\/p>\n

In the power vacuum that ensued Reza Shah\u2019s departure, the Iranian people could breathe again. They organized themselves to bring about a lasting change. Most notably, the movement to nationalize oil under the leadership of Mossadeq was taking steps to reform and democratize Iranian politics. However, Mossadeq was removed through a coup d’\u00e9tat with the help of Britain and the U.S<\/a>. What followed was 25 years of absolute cruel reign by Mohammad Reza Shah. His notorious secret police, SAVAK, was pivotal for the prevailing repression in society.<\/p>\n

After the failed attempts of the Iranian people to reform the absolute monarchy system – variations of which colored Iran’s 2,500-year history – the 1979 revolution sought to uproot that repressive system once and for all. The revolution succeeded in putting an end to monarchy in Iran; however, it failed to achieve its second objective of bringing about lasting freedom. From this perspective, the 1979 revolution in Iran resembles the French Revolution of 1789.<\/p>\n

Both ended the monarchy but failed to achieve the freedoms they promised. In both France and Iran, the revolutions ended with a reign of terror shortly after. Sadly, this outcome is not surprising since a reliable mechanism of transition to a free and democratic society is required. There are many prerequisites for this, including independent and democratic political parties or organizations, adequate education, and profound culture of resisting tyranny. The most important pre-requisites, however, is democratic leadership for the transition phase. But the absolute monarchs prevent these necessary institutions and conditions from taking roots in society.<\/p>\n

Therefore, the Shah played the most pivotal role in paving the way for Khomeini to take over Iran through (a) creating explosive conditions for a revolution as a result of his refusal to deliver meaningful political and economic reforms, and (b) eliminating all democratic forces in Iran before the 1979 revolution. In addition, the Shah spared the mullahs, giving them the sufficient political space they needed to influence the outcome of the revolution in their favor. Specifically, the Shah provided the mullahs with stipends and let them expand their organizations and networks.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, the Shah executed the founders of the People’s<\/a> Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI\/MEK) and the scores of its members. He imprisoned the entirety of the MEK organization for the seven years preceding the revolution. It was only four days after the Shah was forced to flee Iran and three weeks before the fall of his regime that MEK members, including MEK leader Massoud Rajavi, were freed from prisons by the people. By then, Khomeini was riding the wave of the revolution, and his image was being “seen on the moon.”<\/p>\n

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The 1979 Revolution in #Iran<\/a> sought freedom and democracy. Khomeini hijacked the revolution and drenched it in blood.
I salute the brave men and women who have risen up to liberate the country from the clutches of religious fascism. #IranProtests<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Cic3C14GAB<\/a><\/p>\n

— Maryam Rajavi (@Maryam_Rajavi) February 11, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n