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.