Іран: від «білої революції» до ісламської антишахської революції (аналіз суспільно-політичних трансформацій)

Abstract

This paper examines the Iranian experience of Western-style modernization that was initiated by Mohammed Rezа Shah Pahlavi from the 1960s to the 1970s and led to a radical change of the government and society structure. The role of socio-cultural and political preparation of society and government for radical economic changes in successful modernization is analyzed. The positive achievements of the "white revolution" reform program and the socio-political contradictions nature created during the reforms are revealed. The main reasons for the failure of this modernization project centered on the author’s views are highlighted. The anti-Shah movement broke out at a time when Iran was one of the fastest growing economies. However, high rates of economic growth were not accompanied by an improvement in the living standards of a large part of the population and deepened property and social inequality in society. There were the Shah family members, high-ranking civil servants, large private business representatives and skilled workers among the reforms beneficiaries. The most numerous and consistent part of the anti-Shah movement that appeared in response to modernization reforms consisted of the Shiite clergy representatives, traders and small producers associated with the economy traditional sector. The author explains the participation of students and intellectuals who were educated in a Western way and shared the values of the liberal world in the revolutionary events of 1978-79 by the fact that the authorities prohibited their participation in the political process. In fact, the authoritarian regime of the Shah's personal power made it impossible to create the public dialogue, which would allow for a policy of reforms to be adjusted to social demands. As a result, the Shah's power was overthrown due to the mass anti-Shah protests.