Insightful analysis of Popular Movement in Iran
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I read this book after reading Kinzer's "All the Shah's Men". They are similar books in the sense that they talk about Musaddiq and the democratic movement in Iran named "Popular Movement" in 20th century. I must say that Mr. Katouzian has a deeper insight into Iran's history, the language, political parties and characters in political movements.
Musaddiq, Iran's legendary, democratic leader, defended the elected parliament's right to control its oil industry. He made this a priority for himself because he believed a country can not reach democracy without being independent from other powers. He put a big fight against the Shah, Shah's Iranian allies, Britain and the USA to nationalise Iran's oil industry in order to get rid of corrupt agreement signed between Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now BP) and Iran. He failed and he and the Iranian people were victims of a military coup designed by CIA and implemented by CIA and its Iranian allies. The consequences of that event led to a iron fist rule under Shah and finally to Khomeini's regime in the next 25 years.
Two striking messages of this book are:
- It is not possible to put a liberation fight against big powers without fully controlling your own country's army and being merciless as needed.
- Every country needs to find its way of reforming its system. No democractic system can be imported. Musaddiq was a defender and a good example of this philosophy.
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