Iranian Echo Boomer Reform Movement
There is a growing dissatisfaction among Iran’s large population of young adults. Some of this unrest exploded for the world to see with protests associated with the allegations of voter fraud with the recent presidential elections. As thousands of protestors took to the streets to voice their concerns (and the whole world watching on television), the Iranian government struggled to fashion a response that would quiet the crowds and not embarrass the regime. The current government is the result of a revolution itself – a popular uprising amongst the people at the time. Faced with eerily similar circumstances, the question is whether the current government faces a reformation or another revolution.
The difference between the two – in general terms – is significant. In this, there are lessons to learn from history. American baby boomers, for example, have defined the process of social reformation. The so-called counter-culture; baby boomers set out to redefine society in a mold that was in conformity with their understanding of the American dream. This redefinition, however, was to be accomplished within the scope of the established political framework. In other words, baby boomers wanted change but did not want to overthrow the established government.
Social revolution, however, is a different concept. A revolution identifies the problems that a society faces as inherent symptoms of a corrupt or failing government. In such a circumstance, the only viable solution is to effect regime change. Obviously, this wasn’t much of a consideration for American baby boomers. Ordinarily, such a decisive measure is costly in terms of human lives and infrastructure damage. Still, there are two points of interest that are derived from all of this.
The first is that in times of social unrest, the initial goal of the dissatisfied is reformation. Secondly, despite the constant chatter from talk shows and news pundits, it does not appear that the Iranians are not looking to overthrow their government. At this point in time (which is a key point for the Iranian government and its citizens) the call is for social reformation and not revolution. To better understand the significance of this and the lessons that should be well understood by the Iranian government if no one else, is illustrated in recent historical events.
The current Iranian government is the result of the Islamic (sometimes called Iranian) Revolution of 1979. Prior to the revolution, Iran was governed under a monarchy. It would suffice to say that history views this government as unpopular. Psychological articles inform us that the ruler of Iran, Shah Pahlavi, stood over a pro-western, liberal, and generally agreed upon, oppressive regime. A measure of the discontent in Iran with the Shah is that virtually each of the normally rival factions in Iran – religious, Marxist, leftist, etc. – all had one thing in common; a desire to see the Shah ousted.
Calls for social change and efforts for such (i.e. reformation) were often brutally suppressed by the Shah’s government.
Naturally, the widespread discontent eventually united the factions to action. Under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran witnessed staged protests of immense proportions. As one observer noted, there were more protesters than the secret police could ever hope to arrest. The Shah went into exile in 1979.
The lesson is that the Shah, recognizing the writing on the wall, finally attempted to enact many of the social changes that had been called for; only too late. Once revolutionary momentum has been attained, reformation is no longer an option. American baby boomers never had to face this dilemma – the Iranian government does. Now, Iranian officials have to weigh the choice of reformation or revolution in regards to its own continued existence.
This Psychological Article on Reflections of A Generation (pt. 2): A Mirror of Social Unrest In Iran Influenced by Baby Boomers? is part of Boomer Yearbook’s continuing series of psychological articles on World Religions, politics and understanding as a solution to types of discrimination. We believe knowledge is power. We’d love to hear what you think.
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