Reza Pahlavi Talks About Future of Democracy in Iran

Ismail Belbachir and Faisal Al-Hamad, Harbus Online:

Reza Pahlavi, the former Crown Prince of Iran and son of the late Shah, arrived on campus on March 8th to speak to a group of eagerly awaiting students and faculty. Hosted by the Middle East and North Africa Club (MENA) and the International Business and Development Club, the exiled Pahlavi shared his perspective on the current state of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the potential for change in the country. READ MORE

Today's Iran

In describing today's Iran, Pahlavi spoke of the ironic fact that while Iran's ancient rulers were honored in the Bible for protecting Jews and religious minorities from persecution, today's regime is listed at the top of the international list of human rights violators. He highlighted the plight of the Iranian people who have, for the past 26 years, lived under religious obscurantism.

Pahlavi, a vocal advocate of democracy, freedom and human rights, began his talk by acknowledging the "oppressed women of Iran" and recognizing March 8th as the international day devoted to honoring women. Pahlavi argued that "the very fact that today in my country, the Islamic Republic does not allow women to legally commemorate [International Women's Day] speaks volumes about the repressive and backward nature of the mullahs' regime." In discussing women's role in Iranian society, Pahlavi went on to estimate that due to the numerous obstacles women face, female unemployment is as high as 50%.

Questioning Pahlavi's criticism of the Islamic Republic, one student stated that "[w]hile no one disagrees that the current regime needs to further improve women's rights, isn't it true that Iran is currently one of the only countries in the Middle East where women can democratically be elected as members of parliament?" Pahlavi responded by pointing out that although this may be true, in current-day Iran the hands of parliament members are tied and therefore being elected to parliament without the power to legislate is worthless.

Pahlavi voiced concern about Iran's suffering economy in the last quarter of a century. He explained that today's $1,677 per capita income of Iranians is 30% less than what it was in 1978, the year immediately preceding the Islamic Revolution. Inflation in Iran has been in the double digits since the Revolution and the state dominates at least 80% of the economy. Quoting Iran's foreign exchange rate of nearly 9000 Rials to one US Dollar today, as compared to 76 Rials to one US Dollar immediately preceding the 1979 Revolution, Pahlavi called upon the audience to recognize Iran's precarious economic situation.

When asked about the impact that economic sanctions have on limiting the Islamic regime's ability to raise hard cash when Iran is increasingly doing business with China and companies from countries that do not share American human rights values, Pahlavi stated that he has mixed feelings about the use of economic sanctions. He argued that while sanctions hurt the people of Iran the most, they can also limit the ability of the Islamic regime to sustain and legitimize itself by doing business with western countries. He went on to say that sanctions can have an impact, as they did against the apartheid regime in South Africa. Pahlavi asserted that only a dual-pronged strategy will work. Sanctions by themselves will not change the government, but they can be effective if they are combined with complementary political pressure aimed at regime change.

Looking Forward

With over 70% of Iran's population under 30 years of age, Iran faces increasing unemployment problems as the rate of new job creation is not meeting the increase in the labor pool. Pahlavi offered liberalization and an open market structure that involves interaction with the rest of the world as a solution to Iran's current economic situation. Stating that the current regime is not "capable or willing to embrace such an undertaking," Pahlavi urged that democratization is the essential tool for any economic improvement. When asked about his potential future role in the country, Pahlavi responded by saying that his ultimate goal is to reach Iran to the point of democracy. Everything afterwards is up to the people.

Reading from his book, "Winds of Change: The Future of Democracy in Iran", Pahlavi stated that "Iran is now entering one of the most dynamic phases of its internal development. Winds of change are blowing through the cities and villages of my homeland. We all feel it. More than ever before, we are ready to assert our overwhelming desire to establish a lasting democratic government for the first time in our history."

He opined that post-September 11th, a new era has emerged in the Middle East and that there would be an exorbitant cost in doing business with "a leading member of the so-called 'Axis of Evil'." He warned that "cut[ting] a deal" with Iran's ruling clerics would result in the prolonging of their tenure.

Pahlavi passionately stressed that events that happen in Iran have a strong impact on the rest of the region. He expressed hope and expectation that the situation in Iran will change in the near future. Pahlavi articulated that Iran's current regime not only poses a threat to international peace but also to democratic principles around the world. He urged the Harvard community to appreciate that Iran's problems are not merely internal in nature. Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, he stated that "[i]njustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Pahlavi spoke in earnest about his hope that the international community will recognized the state of urgency in Iran today by standing with the people of Iran.

Following his talk, Pahlavi spent time speaking individually with audience members. His approachable and cordial style as he signed books and chatted with students could not mask his deep passion for his country and his overwhelming anticipation of imminent change in Iran.