Individual Narrative (Roots of Revolution)

  Hamid Algar's book explains how the Ulama defended themselves against Qajar tyranny throughout the 19th Century. In political crisis, Iran's religous leaders and community of believers' attitudes are vulnerable and likely to either revolutionize, or resort to traditional ideas. Algar suggests for vigilant political activism, in effort to limit tyranny and ultimately end injustice. Influenced by western ideas, clerics emerge as champions of the common people and popular causes in Iran's recent history.
  Ulama represented traditional Iranian power elite and supported existing social order. Ulama Opposed Mohammad Mossadegh (National Prime-Minister) and his promises for fundamental changes in Iranian Society.Ulama's involvement in politics in the 1960s/70s was motivated by maintaining material interests and the existing power structure and hierarchy. They supported the Shah during the latter stages of the Oil Nationalization Crisis and extended women's suffrage with the hope to limit the lower-class/Public's input.
  Gilbar states that merchants supported constitutional movement, not because they're desperate, but because the existing government worked to their advantage in expanding trade and agricultural activities. Merchants opposed foreign involvement and the revolution in general.
The Revolution occured due to the expanding economy, not because it was declining!
Displaced artisans and merchants were tired of competing with foreign competion so the demanded a greater say in national policy.
  Keddie challenges Gilbar's view... Iranians became more vulnerable to fluctuations in Domestic as well as International market prices. Famine and scarcity occured due to increased consumption of tea, sugar, and opium cultivation. Most Iranians did not benefit from trade relations in the west, while few thrived.
  Iranian involvement in international trade was more harmful than helpful in the long run. Keddie disagrees with imperialism and Western influence in 3rd World places. Mohammad Reza Shah(1941-19790) from 1954, invested in infrastructure manufacturing consumer goods such as automobile/tractor assembly, developed industries like petrochemicals, steel, aluminum, copper, cheap oil, gas, iron ore, and other minerals, promoted large-scale Agriculture and educational opportunities.
  Charles Issawi states that by the mid 1970s Iranians enjoyed a much better standard of living when compared to twenty years earlier. After 1960, Iran's industrial growth was "almost unmatched in histotry" and was able to develop roads, railways, and airports. Isawwi noted that while the standard of living increased for most, income gaps grew, proving how disfunctional the trickle-down effect truly is. Issawi was much more positive compared to Keddie's analysis.

Works Cited

Bakhash, Shaul. "Iran." 1991. Iran. N.p.:n.p., 1991. 1479-496. Print. 

I am...

I am a l kid who grew up right here in the Santa Cruz/Soquel Area.
I am grateful to have been raised in a place where I can ride through the mountains and then jump into the ocean to cool off within minutes! I am a patriot, i have never left the country, but nevertheless I am proud to be a member of this society. Maybe I have been wrongfully persuaded all along, but I do believe I am one of the luckiest kids alive. I am lucky because I belong to a dependable family that has bonded so well over the years that there is little to nothing that can rip us apart. I am a miracle baby, the doctors told my mother she would never be able to give birth because of "sidis inversis" meaning her heart is on the right side of her body, instead of the left like normal. My family has a boat and absolutely loves to go camping together. We go on trips to various lakes around california whenever we see the opportunity to. We took it out into the ocean once and I must admit, it was an epic experience. Recently after a man was attacked by a shark in a kayak at pleasure point, I got the chance to wakeboard from the wharf by the boardwalk, along the coast all the way to the capitola wharf! That was a memorable moment and possibly the highest my heart-rate has ever been! Wearing a wetsuit (dressed up like a seal) getting towed outside of the kelp beds is like fishing for sharks but i was lucky enough to make it out of the water in one piece. I am grateful to have a secure society structure, but I believe being out in the wild, as far way from buildings and cement as possible, is what brings out the best in people. It's safe to say camping has brought us all much closer together, from the campfire stories to the times we broke down before we made it to our destination, we've stuck together through it all! There's no place I'd rather be than the crisp, cool air of the santa cruz mountains riding bikes with my closest friends and family.I am a member of an incredibly diverse culture and I truly believe people should judge one another based upon the content of their character, not the color of their skin. I am the youngest of three brothers, so i have spent quite a bit of time trying to hang with the big kids and keep up with them, for better or for worse! I have two brothers from another mother, I always looked to them for advice even though they've proven to be far from role models. I hope I can learn from their experiences and ultimately avoid repeating the same mistakes. I am a child at heart, I am apprehensive to leave my hometown, mainly because of all the great memories and life-long friends I've earned while living here. I've lived in the same house my entire life so my comfort zone is well established here. I feel a desire to get out and explore the world while I can but at the same time, i dont want to abandon the place and people that have been there with me since day one. I know I'll leave Santa Cruz for a bit when the time is right, i just dont want to rush into anything at this point in life.
I am gifted, I am comfortable in my own skin and wouldn't have it any other way! I am aware of how good I got it and try not to complain about my situation. I know there's people out there that would kill to be in my position, so I do what i can with it, and refrain from feeling sorry for myself. I feel like I'm easy to talk to and I  am considerate of others. I'd like to think i contribute to an environment where my peers are comfortable as can be and don't have to worry about being embaressed because of my presence and/or opinion.An attitude of gratitude, it's what I've aquired from growing up in Santa Cruz!