The Iranian Revolution and the Beginning of the Islamic Republic - Research Paper Example

The paper also explores Khomeini as the leader of the revolution, especially his leadership skills and character. The discussion also spotlights some of his decisions that led the country into becoming an Islamic Republic. The paper will utilize, as a background, a number of academic terms studied throughout the semester such as authoritarianism, theocracy, leaders’ personality traits and characteristics and the various forms of repression engaged by governments. The discussion concentrates on both the events that caused the revolution and the revolution itself.

It is widely clear about the aftermath of the revolution and what Iran has evolved into, but not too many people are aware of Khomeini’s reasoning and tactics that brought this change. This discussion utilizes political finding theory grounded in the tenet that if those agitating for a revolutionary movement failed to utilize or provide the appropriate opportunities when conditions were ripe, the revolution will fail. It thus follows that a revolution is shaped by essential political opportunities or effective actions made by the leaders.

The Iranian revolution in 1979 managed to topple Shah’s absolute dynasty and replace it with a theocracy led by Ayatollah Khomeini. For the first time, the world saw the conception of a new structure of government; one modelled around the concept of wilayat I faqih, which revolves around the thought that everybody requires guardianship in the form of the rule or supervision by the leading Islamic Jurists. Revolutions, Islamic or otherwise, rarely live up on all their promises, and an external enemy can avail a practical diversion for the pressing internal problems.

The Iranian revolution did not live up to the people’s expectations. The revolution may have produced a popular and widely accepted form of governance structure; nevertheless, it did not entirely overturn the old order. Although the Iranian revolution managed to topple Pahlavi dynasty, traces of dictatorship were not entirely eliminated. Khomeini and the Mullahs ended up replacing one dictatorial regime with another. It was a shocking to millions of Iranians who had participated in the revolution in the anticipating that it would surrender more freedom.

The ally revolutionaries such as secularists and leftists were equally suppressed by the new Islamic Republic government just as when under Shah’s Regime. The triumph or failure of social movements is principally affected by political opportunities. The political suppression of the Shah Regime led to the creation of a collective determination by inflating opposition against the Regime. Shah introduced changes too soon and radical opposition was inevitable to those who felt that their status quo was threatened.

The fall of Shah Regime The root of the revolution can be traced back in part to preceding revolutions such as Persian Constitutional Revolution by liberalists and the White Revolution. It was a protest against what they regarded as efforts to modernise and westernize Iran (January 4). Despite the witnessed economic growth under Shah’s leadership, there was a lot of opposition to Mohammad Reza Shah absolutist monarchy. This antagonism particularly fuelled by the Regime’s military dictatorship and use of the secret police (America trained SAVAK police) to manage the country.

Dissatisfaction was alive among the masses, especially arising from the violent crackdowns conducted by the regime (January 6). This in turn, had led to an