The political left in Iran
This report by Nazila Fathi in The New York Times might help students remember that Iranian politics, even under repressive regimes, has long had a strong Communist element.Radical Left, Iran’s Last Legal Dissidents, Until Now
"Political protest has been harshly suppressed under the current Iranian government, especially dissent linked to the West. But the radical left, despite its antireligious and antigovernment message, has been permitted relative freedom. This may be, analysts say, because, like the government, it rejects the liberal reform movement and attacks the West...
"In recent weeks, the leaders of the Marxist student movement have been arrested, suggesting that the government is worrying about the size of the demonstrations and the growing attraction of an ideology that is deeply antithetical to its own...
"Even some of those who object to President Ahmadinejad say permitting the growth of Marxist student movements is dangerous.
"For example, former President Mohammad Khatami, a moderate by Iranian standards, recently raised concern over the growth of leftists at universities...
"Much of the literature written since then is closely interwoven with leftist notions. However, Marxists never gained power here. They played an important role in the success of the 1979 revolution but they were soon marginalized by the Islamists and their members were forced into exile. Many were executed in 1988..."
Labels: Iran, political culture, politics
posted by Ken Wedding @ 5:53 AM
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