Theocracy versus Democracy: Iran Considers Political Parties

Fairbanks, Stephen C., The Middle East Journal

Muhammad Khatami's upset victory in the 1997 presidential election in Iran was due to an unprecedented degree of popular support from Iranians, including many youths and women, who showed a clear desire for change. Many hoped that the system would open politically, and that the ban on meaningful party activity for the past 16 years would be lifted. For the regime, however, the establishment of parties by civil groups is a direct threat to clerical control, as it is at odds with the theory of the divine legitimacy of the regime. The alternative, however-official government parties-would amount to little more than the party system under Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlavi.

The May 1997 …

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Publication information: Article title: Theocracy versus Democracy: Iran Considers Political Parties. Contributors: Fairbanks, Stephen C. - Author. Journal title: The Middle East Journal. Volume: 52. Issue: 1 Publication date: Winter 1998. Page number: 17+. © Middle East Institute Winter 2009. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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