When we look at the time of the establishment of the Islamic Republic, we can see the influence of economic and social factors in addition to ideological reasons. As a result of the injustices of the Shah’s regime and the economic and administrative corruption within the government, the country’s resources were unfairly distributed.
Also, in the Pahlavi regime, where political freedoms were limited, the oppression of the people caused a great explosion. Although political Islam and its ideology have shaped government and the system in recent years, economic poverty has been the most important factor in mobilizing the nation.
Injustice in the distribution of income has led to growing dissatisfaction of a large number of nations with the Shah’s regime.
One of the promises made by Ruhollah Khomeini on that eve was to provide electricity and other necessities to the nation free of charge. Khomeini’s promises were well-received by the poor, who make up the majority of society.
But the promises were never fulfilled. During all these years, the Iranian economy as a whole has shrunk even more every year, and the vast majority of the nation has been forced to live in even more difficult conditions.But now there is a serious poverty in the country. According to politicians from all walks of life, middle-income families in Iran have completely disappeared, and most of them are low-income families.
According to the Iranian Minister of Health, the current situation is such that all Coronavirus measures are based on such economic issues. Recall the words of Minister Nameki:
“I have to make a decision so that the nation will not revolt due to hunger.”
In this way, we are witnessing that the issues that have been hidden for many years are now being made public.
Hassan Rouhani said last week that electricity would be provided free of charge to 30 million low-income families in Iran on the occasion of State Week. Rouhani announced this news with great enthusiasm at a meeting attended by Ali Khamenei. Later State spokesman Rabii said in a daily statement that electricity was free as a fulfillment of Ruhullah Khomeini promises.
Trust issue between the nation and the government leads to separation over time. Also, in the face of such widespread corruption within the state, the efforts of populists such as Khomeini to change the political agenda may lead to more criticism and division among the nation.
