Satellite Channels and Social Movements: the Bbc Persian Television’S Construction of Iran’S Green Movement

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Satellite Channels and Social Movements: the Bbc Persian Television’S Construction of Iran’S Green Movement SATELLITE CHANNELS AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS: THE BBC PERSIAN TELEVISION’S CONSTRUCTION OF IRAN’S GREEN MOVEMENT MANSOUREH GANJIAN Malaya THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THEof DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA KUALA LUMPUR University 2017 UNIVERSITY MALAYA ORIGINAL LITERARY WORK DECLARATION Name of Candidate: Mansoureh Ganjian Registration/ Matric No: AHA 120015 Name of Degree: Ph.D. Title of Project paper/ Research Report/ Dissertation/ Thesis (“this Work”): SATELLITE CHANNELS AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS: THE BBC PERSIAN TELEVISION’S CONSTRUCTION OF IRAN’S GREEN MOVEMENT Field of Study: Media Policy I do solemnly and sincerely declare that: (1) I am the sole author/ writer of this work; (2) This work is original; Malaya (3) Any use of any work in which copyright exists was done by way of fair dealing and for permitted purposes and any except or extract from, or reference to or reproduction of any copyright work has beenof disclosed expressly and sufficiently and the title of the work and its authorship have been acknowledged in this work; (4) I do not have any actual knowledge nor ought I reasonably to know that the making of this work constitutes an infringement of any copyright work; (5) I hereby assign all every rights in the copyright to this work to the University of Malaya (“Um”), who henceforth shall be the owner of the copyright in this work and that any reproduction or use in any form or by any means whatsoever is prohibited without the written consent of UM having been first had and obtained; (6) I am fully aware that is in the course of making this work I have fringed any copyright whether intentionally or otherwise. I may be subject to legal action or any other action as may be determined by UM. Candidate’s Signature: Date: UniversitySubscribed and solemnly declared before, Witness’s signature Date: Name: ii ABSTRACT In modern societies, the term of “social movements” is representative of broad social alliance of people who are connected through their collectively shared knowledge and identity to give voice to their concerns by engaging in collective actions. Evidently, media, as an integral part, has been associated with new social movements in departure of collective identity to collective behaviors. Since the social media, due to velocity and amplification in exchange of information, has been received more attention by scholars, the purpose of this study is to prominent the role of transnational TVs, as multi-platform services, in non-democratic countries when political control of internet cause a fundamental shift in form of expressing the protests andMalaya grievance by the new media. On that account, this study is an attempt to evaluate the news coverage of the BBC Persian TV (BBCPTV) in 2009 presidentialof post-election and the Iranian Green Movement, whereas the issue is clouded by the BBCPTV’ claim for unbiased reporting. Increasing the value of citizen journalism and user-generated content (UGC) during the Iran’s political crisis indicates the important role of the BBCPTV as a reliable source of information. It capable the protestors have their voice heard through the world largest broadcaster, when they have limited access to internal media and social networks as well. Drawing on critical discourse analysis (CDA) by applying to Fairclough approach (1989), this article develops a theoretical framework of constructivist approach to Universityexplicate whether the BBCPTV discourse, for the period of 2009-2011, has been in line with the Green leaders’ demands and goals. The findings provide confirmatory evidence that the BBCPTV through specific framing, has attempted to validate the movement’s goals and its legitimacy while delegitimize Islamic Republic of Iran. iii ABSTRAK Dalam masyarakat moden, istilah "pergerakan sosial" adalah wakil perikatan sosial yang luas melalui ahli masyarakat yang mempunyai hubungan melalui pengetahuan yang dikongsi secara kolektif dan identiti yang akan memberi suara kepada kebimbangan mereka dengan melibatkan diri dalam tindakan kolektif mereka. Ternyata, kebanyakan media konteks dikaitkan dengan pergerakan sosial yang baru di mana ia berada di dalam proses perubahan daripada identiti kolektif kepada tingkah-laku yang kolektif. Selaras dengan perkembangan media sosial terutamanya dalam pertukaran maklumat, ia telah mendapat perhatian daripada banyak pihak terutamanya para pakar. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk meninjau peranan transnational TV di negara-negaraMalaya demokratik apabila berlakunya politik internet yang memberikan impak kepada peranan media. Oleh sebab itu, kajian ini merupakan satu usaha untuk menilaiof liputan berita daripada pihak BBC Parsi TV (BBCPTV) selepas 2009 gerakan “Hijau Iran”. Peranan BBCPTV sebagai sumber maklumat yang boleh dipercayai sangat digalakkan disebabkan, peningkatan nilai kewartawanan di kalangan rakyat dan kandungan yang dihasilkan oleh pengguna (UGC) semasa krisis politik di Iran. Dengan menggunakan kritikal wacana analisis (Critical Discourse Analysis) yang di perkenalkan oleh Fairclough (1989), artikel ini mengusahakan rangka kerja Teori Konstruktivisme pendekatan untuk menilai sama ada wacana di BBCPTV, bagi tempoh 2009-2011, selaras dengan kehendak dan matlamat Universitypemimpin-pemimpin hijau (Green leaders). Hasil kajian ini terbukti bahawa wacana di BBCPTV melalui framing tertentu, mengesahkan matlamat gerakan dan kesahihan di Republik Islam Iran. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and above all, I praise God, the almighty for providing me this opportunity and granting me the capability to proceed successfully. Definitely, undertaking this journey has been truly a life-changing experience for me and it would not have been possible to do without the support and guidance that I received from many people. I would like to extend my special thanks to my supervisor, Associate Prof. Datin Dr. Hasmah Binti Zanuddin. Actually words cannot express how grateful I am to you. You are excellent example of a compassionate teacher that I have never seen before. Your brilliant advice on both research as well as on my career have been priceless. My sincere thanks also goes to my co-supervisor, AssociateMalaya Prof. Dr. Jatswan Singh for your insightful comments and suggestions. Without your precious support, it would not be possible to conduct this research. of I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to my beloved husband, Hamid, for full- supporting me throughout this tough experience and to my beloved daughter Kimiya, for being such a good girl always cheering me up. A special thanks to my family, specially my mother, for all of the sacrifices and spiritual support that you have made on my behalf. I am also very grateful to all those at the faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and particularly Media department office, who were always so helpful and provided me with Universitytheir assistance throughout my dissertation. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract…………………………………………………………………………….….iii Abstrak…………………………………………………………………………….......iv Acknowledgements………………………………………………………….................v Table of Contents………………………………………………………………….......vi List of Figures………………………………………………………………………...xii List of Tables……………………………………………………………….…….….xiii List of Charts………………………………………………………………………....xiv List of Symbols and Abbreviations……………………………………….…….….....xv Malaya CHAPTER ONE: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY….…………………...1 1.1 Background of the Study…………………………of .………..………………......8 1.1.1 Iran Presidential Election Scenario…….….…..……….….……………..8 1.1.2 The Green Movement’s Goals………….……….…..…….………….…12 1.1.3 Media in Iran and 2009 Presidential Election………..……..…………..16 1.1.4 BBC Persian TV……………….………………………..….……………22 1.1.5 The BBC Persian TV Staff……………………..………..………………27 1.1.6 An Overview of Iran-UK Relations after the 2009 Iran Election……….28 1.2 Statement of Problem……………………………………………………….…..31 1.3 Significant of the Study………………………………………….….……..…...35 University1.4 Objectives of the Study………………………………………………………...36 1.5 Research Questions……….……………………………………………………38 1.6 Scope of the Study……………………………………………………….……..39 1.7 Limitation of the Study……………………………………………….………...39 vi 1.8 Research Design………………………………………..….…………………..40 1.9 Definitions of Terms………..……..………………..…….……….……………41 1.9.1 Social Knowledge…..…..……………………..….……….…………....41 1.9.2 Social identity………..……………………………………………..….42 1.9.3 Social Norms…….…..…………………………………………………42 1.11 Summary…………………………………………………..…………………...43 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURES…………………..…………....45 2.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………...............45 2.2 Social Movement Definition……………………………………….…................45 2.3 Review Literature on Social Movement…………………………….…Malaya……......48 2.3.1 Overview of Social Movement Theory………….…….……….…..…….48 2.3.2 Individual-Oriented Approach……………………of .………….…...….......52 2.3.3 Relationship-Oriented Approach…………….………………….….…….54 2.3.4 Social Determinism-Oriented Approach………………….………..…......59 2.3.5 Combination of Three Categorizations..………………..………….…......60 2.4. Constructivist Approach of Social Movements…………………………..……...63 2.4.1 Constructivist Approach……………………………………………….....63 2.4.2 Constructivist Approach to Social Movements……………………….….66 2.5. Media Function and Social Movements…………….….......................................71 2.5.1 Media Framing and Social Movements……………..………………..…...76 University 2.5.1.1 Conflict Frame………………… .……………..…….……….…….81 2.5.1.2 Attribution of Responsibility frame………………………,….…...81 2.5.1.3 Morality Frame………………..……………………….…..….……82
Recommended publications
  • Written Evidence Submitted by Link For
    Written evidence submitted by Link for Freedom Foundation (UKI0017) We are a diverse group of ordinary citizens, brought together by our support for Iranian citizens who seek democratic and non-sectarian freedom in their homeland. We formed the Link for Freedom Foundation (LFF) to safeguard our own democratic values and perform what we see as our civic duty: to mobilise and co-ordinate other ordinary citizens to help us challenge our government, international agencies such as the UN, and the media about their policy decisions. LFF Answer to Question 1 - Relations between the UK and Iran, and vice versa: history, evolution, and aims In February 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini hijacked the popular revolution which saw off the Shah. Driven by a number of factors, not least the enduring need to secure energy supply, Western powers including the US and Britain supported him. They didn’t want to see oil nationalised as it had been by Mosaddegh in 1952. Khomeini offered the people a referendum to establish Iran as an Islamic Republic, and this was almost unanimously voted for. However, the people’s vision of a republic, in which the majlis (parliament) would play a prominent role, swiftly led to disillusion and worse when Khomeini betrayed the democratic parliamentary process by overlaying it with his concept of velayat e-faqih (absolute rule of the clergy), honed in his 13 years of exile in Iraq. Hard- wired into a new constitution was the principle of Sharia Law, an Islamic justice system which gave absolute authority to the religious leaders, with Khomeini and, since his death in 1989, Khamenei as Supreme Leader.
    [Show full text]
  • PROTESTS and REGIME SUPPRESSION in POST-REVOLUTIONARY IRAN Saeid Golkar
    THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY n OCTOBER 2020 n PN85 PROTESTS AND REGIME SUPPRESSION IN POST-REVOLUTIONARY IRAN Saeid Golkar Green Movement members tangle with Basij and police forces, 2009. he nationwide protests that engulfed Iran in late 2019 were ostensibly a response to a 50 percent gasoline price hike enacted by the administration of President Hassan Rouhani.1 But in little time, complaints Textended to a broader critique of the leadership. Moreover, beyond the specific reasons for the protests, they appeared to reveal a deeper reality about Iran, both before and since the 1979 emergence of the Islamic Republic: its character as an inherently “revolutionary country” and a “movement society.”2 Since its formation, the Islamic Republic has seen multiple cycles of protest and revolt, ranging from ethnic movements in the early 1980s to urban riots in the early 1990s, student unrest spanning 1999–2003, the Green Movement response to the 2009 election, and upheaval in December 2017–January 2018. The last of these instances, like the current round, began with a focus on economic dissatisfaction and then spread to broader issues. All these movements were put down by the regime with characteristic brutality. © 2020 THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE FOR NEAR EAST POLICY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. SAEID GOLKAR In tracking and comparing protest dynamics and market deregulation, currency devaluation, and the regime responses since 1979, this study reveals that cutting of subsidies. These policies, however, spurred unrest has become more significant in scale, as well massive inflation, greater inequality, and a spate of as more secularized and violent.
    [Show full text]
  • Satellite Jamming in Iran: a War Over Airwaves
    SATELLITE JAMMING IN IRAN: A WAR OVER AIRWAVES A Small Media Report // November 2012 // This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License Satellite Jamming in Iran: 3 A War Over Airwaves TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 executive summary 1 how disruptive is satellite jamming 35 for broadcasters and audiences? 1 6.1 Broadcasters 36 5 introduction 6.2 Viewers 42 2 what is the importance of satellite 7 television in the islamic republic of iran 9 is satellite jamming a health risk? 47 3 8 historical overview of satellite jamming 15 international responses and 52 the role of satellite providers 4 8.1 The role of satellite providers 56 what is satellite jamming, how does it work, 19 9 how much does it cost? recommendations 63 4.1 Orbital jamming 22 4.2 Terrestrial jamming 24 10 4.3 How easy is it to jam a frequency? 26 footnotes 67 5 satellite ownership and jamming legislation in the islamic republic of iran 29 Satellite Jamming in Iran: 1 A War Over Airwaves EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Satellite jamming is a problematic and pervasive reality in Iran, a country where, for the vast majority of inhabitants, satellite television is the only access point to information and entertainment not regulated by the authorities. “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Satellite Jamming in Iran: Executive summary 3 A War Over Airwaves // There are at least 120 Persian-language satellite TV channels // Throughout this report, we emphasise the issues raised Glwiz.com, an online broadcasting into Iran from the diaspora, incomparable with by those who have been directly affected by satellite jamming aggregated ‘on demand’ the use of satellite TV in any other diasporic community in the or are directly involved in the fight for freedom of information.
    [Show full text]
  • Foreign Affairs Committee Select Committee Announcement
    Foreign Affairs Committee Select Committee Announcement Foreign Affairs Committee House of Commons London SW1A 0AA PN 9 (Session 2009-10) 5 February 2010 NEW FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT: THE WORK OF THE BBC WORLD SERVICE 2008–09 In its new Report, published today, the Foreign Affairs Committee provides an assessment of the work of the BBC World Service during 2008-09, focusing particularly on its activities, performance and administration. On the World Service’s performance, Committee Chairman Mr Mike Gapes MP said: “2008-09 was a good year for the BBC World Service in terms of its performance. We particularly welcome the unprecedented growth in online audiences, which exceeded all targets.” On BBC Persian television, Mr Gapes said: “We congratulate the BBC World Service on its success in the launch and delivery of BBC Persian television. This provides an invaluable service to the people of Iran and other Farsi speakers in the region by providing an objective news service during a period of great tension. We support the ongoing efforts of the World Service to remove the technical blockages imposed by the Iranian government.” “We welcome the BBC World Service’s temporary extension of the Persian service to 24 hours of broadcasting and regret that this could not be continued due to financial restraints. We see great value in a 24 hour service and recommend that the BBC World Service make this a top priority for 2009-10.” The Foreign Affairs Committee will publish its report on The Work of the BBC World Service 2008–09 at 11.00am on Friday 5 February.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 February 2013 Page 1 of 16
    Radio 4 Listings for 26 January – 1 February 2013 Page 1 of 16 SATURDAY 26 JANUARY 2013 SAT 07:00 Today (b01q7fjj) The Art of Seduction Morning news and current affairs with John Humphrys and SAT 00:00 Midnight News (b01pzvvz) Justin Webb, including: Colour, wit, insight, analysis from correspondents around the The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4. globe: Followed by Weather. 0752 Staff at the BBC's Persian television channel in London and Kevin Connolly in Jerusalem says keep that election bunting journalists' family members in Tehran say the government in close at hand - Israelis may have to vote again before long. Will SAT 00:30 Book of the Week (b01q0lcc) Iran has stepped up a campaign to intimidate them. Peter Self goes to the Romanian capital, Bucharest: millions live there The Pike: Gabriele D'Annunzio, Poet, Seducer and Preacher of Horrocks, director of BBC Global News, explains the situation. but he's of the opinion that it would be hard to find a less War homely place. The Chinese authorities say they're tackling the 0809 Great Smog of Beijing, but Martin Patience doesn't expect Episode 5 An armed man broke into a betting shop in Plymouth last night, great change any time soon. A tale of violence, bribery and the customers overpowered him and took his gun away, he later corruption from Brazil's Amazon frontier is told by Sue Haydn Gwynne reads from Lucy Hughes-Hallett's biography of died. Chief Inspector Ian Drummond Smith from Devon and Branford. And in Paris, John Laurenson examines the shocking this remarkable Italian poet and political agitator whose words Cornwall Police describes the incident.
    [Show full text]
  • Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses
    Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs March 11, 2010 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL32048 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Iran: U.S. Concerns and Policy Responses Summary President Obama has said his Administration shares the goals of previous administrations to contain Iran’s strategic capabilities and regional influence. The Obama Administration has not changed the Bush Administration’s characterization of Iran as a “profound threat to U.S. national security interests,” a perception generated not only by Iran’s nuclear program but also by its military assistance to armed groups in Iraq and Afghanistan, to the Palestinian group Hamas, and to Lebanese Hezbollah. However, the Obama Administration has formulated approaches to achieve those goals that differ from those of its predecessor by expanding direct diplomatic engagement with Iran’s government and by downplaying discussion of potential U.S. military action against Iranian nuclear facilities. With the nuclear issue unresolved, the domestic unrest in Iran that has occurred since alleged wide-scale fraud was committed in Iran’s June 12, 2009, presidential election has presented the Administration with a potential choice of continuing the engagement or backing the opposition “Green movement.” In December 2009, Administration statements shifted toward greater public support of the Green movement, but Administration officials appear to believe that the opposition’s prospects are enhanced by a low U.S. public profile on the unrest. Congressional resolutions and legislation since mid-2009 show growing congressional support for steps to enhance the opposition’s prospects.
    [Show full text]
  • State, Dissidents, and Contention: Iran, 1979-2010
    STATE, DISSIDENTS, AND CONTENTION: IRAN, 1979-2010 HAMID REZAI SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2012 ©2012 Hamid Rezai All rights reserved ABSTRACT State, Dissidents, and Contention: Iran, 1979-2010 Hamid Rezai Why after almost a decade of silence and “successful” crackdowns of contention during the 1980s has Iran witnessed once again waves of increasing popular protest? What are the processes and mechanisms behind the routinization of collective actions in Iran since the early 1990s, which continue despite state repression? Why and under what circumstances does a strong authoritarian state that has previously marginalized its contenders tolerate some forms of contention despite the state’s continued repressive capacity? And finally, to what extent are available social movement theories capable of explaining the Iranian case? In “State, Dissidents, and Contention: Iran, 1979-2010” I engage theories of social movements and contentious politics in order to examine the emergence, development, and likely outcomes of popular contention in contemporary Iran. My study is the first project of its kind to focus on elite factionalism and its impact on popular mobilization in contemporary Iran. Although other scholars have extensively written on elite factionalism in postrevolutionary Iran, they have not analyzed the implications of the inter-elite conflict for the emergence and development of social protests against the Islamic Republic. While this study primarily utilizes political process and resource mobilization models, it acknowledges the importance of economic, ideological, and breakdown approaches for the interpretation of the emergence and development of popular mobilization in contemporary Iran.
    [Show full text]
  • Orientalisme 2.0 (Fanny Gravel-Patry) FINAL SANS IMAGES
    Université de Montréal Orientalisme 2.0 : la Révolution verte iranienne en images Par Fanny Gravel-Patry Département d’histoire de l’art et d’études cinématographiques Faculté des arts et des sciences Mémoire présenté à la Faculté des études supérieures en vue de l’obtention du grade Maître ès arts (M.A.) en histoire de l’art Décembre 2014 © Fanny Gravel-Patry Université de Montréal Faculté des études supérieures et postdoctorales Ce mémoire intitulé : Orientalisme 2.0 : la Révolution verte iranienne en images Présenté par : Fanny Gravel-Patry a été évalué par un jury composé des personnes suivantes : Richard Bégin, président-rapporteur Olivier Asselin, directeur de recherche Ersy Contogouris, membre du jury Résumé Depuis la colonisation jusqu’aux plus récents conflits qui affectent le « Moyen- Orient », le visuel participe à la création d’une image raciale et sexuelle du monde musulman dans laquelle l’Orient « archaïque » est représenté comme l’opposé moral de l’Occident « moderne ». Ce discours nommé Orientalisme (Saïd 1994) transforme l’Orient en objet du savoir et du regard occidental (Nochlin 1989). La peinture, la photographie, et les expositions universelles sont autant de moyens qui permettent d’instaurer un point de vue privilégié de l’Occident sur l’Orient. Avec le Web 2.0 et les technologies mobiles, le partage d’images fait partie intégrale de notre quotidien et celles-ci nous proviennent de partout et de n’importe qui. En considérant que l’Orientalisme est indissociable des techniques modernes de représentation du monde (Mitchell 2013), le présent mémoire souhaite interroger l’impact de ces nouvelles technologies sur la production, la circulation et la réception des images du dit Orient.
    [Show full text]
  • The Green Movement in Iran
    Wright State University CORE Scholar Browse all Theses and Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 2012 Social Movements' Emergence and Form: The Green Movement in Iran Afsaneh J Haddadian Wright State University Follow this and additional works at: https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/etd_all Part of the International Relations Commons Repository Citation J Haddadian, Afsaneh, "Social Movements' Emergence and Form: The Green Movement in Iran" (2012). Browse all Theses and Dissertations. 1078. https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/etd_all/1078 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at CORE Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Browse all Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of CORE Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SOCIAL MOVEMENTS’ EMERGENCE AND FORM: THE GREEN MOVEMENT IN IRAN A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts By AFSANEH J HADDADIAN B.A. French Language and Literature, Ferdowsi University, 2007 2012 Wright State University WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES March, 16,2012 I HEREBY RECOMMEND THAT THE THESIS PREPARED UNDER MY SUPERVISION BY Afsaneh J Haddadian ENTITLED Social Movements’ Emergence and Form: The Green Movement in Iran BE ACCEPTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF Master of Arts. ______________________________ Laura M. Luehrmann, Ph.D. Thesis Director ______________________________ Laura M. Luehrmann, Ph.D. Director, Master of Arts Program in International and Comparative Politics Committee on Final Examination: ___________________________________ Laura M. Luehrmann, Ph.D. Department of Political Science ___________________________________ Donna Schlagheck, Ph.D.
    [Show full text]
  • Iran W Cieniu Arabskiej Wiosny – Marginalizacja Zielonego Ruchu I Konflikt W Obozie Konserwatystów1
    IX: 2012 nr 1 Rachela Tonta IRAN W CIENIU ARABSKIEJ WIOSNY – MARGINALIZACJA ZIELONEGO RUCHU I KONFLIKT W OBOZIE KONSERWATYSTÓW1 Arabska Wiosna na krótko objęła również swoim zasięgiem Iran. Manifestacje poparcia dla rewolucjonistów z Tunezji i Egiptu, które rozpoczęły się w lutym 2011 r., od początku skazane były jednak na niepowodzenie. Z jednej strony władze podjęły wszelkie możliwe środki, żeby zapobiec rozwojowi wydarzeń podobnym do Tunezji i Egiptu, a z drugiej uwaga Irańczyków zamiast na Zielonym Ruchu, coraz bardziej koncentrowała się na narastającym sporze w obozie konserwaty- stów między Najwyższym Przywódcą Alim Chameneim a prezydentem Mahmu- dem Ahmadineżadem. Celem artykułu jest przeanalizowanie przyczyn konfl iktu w obozie konserwatystów, scharakteryzowanie rywalizujących nurtów politycz- nych oraz próba odpowiedzi na pytanie, jakie mogą być konsekwencje tego kon- fl iktu nie tylko dla obozu reformatorów, ale dla całej irańskiej sceny politycznej. Jak pokazuje wynik wyborów do 9 Islamskiego Zgromadzenia Konsultacyjnego (Madżlesu), które odbyły się w marcu i maju 2012 r., Ali Chamenei w dalszym ciągu ma największy wpływ na układ sił politycznych w Islamskiej Republice, biorąc jednak pod uwagę coraz większe wpływy Korpusu Strażników Rewolucji, mogą oni stać się dla niego dużo większym zagrożeniem, niż byli do tej pory reformatorzy. 1 Niniejszy artykuł powstał dzięki wsparciu fi nasowemu udzielonemu przez Uniwersytet Jagiel- loński w ramach projektu SET. Projekt SET jest współfi nasowany przez Unię Europejską (This artic- le was supported by funding from the Jagiellonian University within the SET project. The project is co-fi nanced by the European Union). 224 RACHELA TONTA *** Masowe protesty, które od grudnia 2010 r. zaczęły obejmować coraz większą licz- bę krajów Bliskiego Wschodu i Północnej Afryki, objęły swym zasięgiem również Iran.
    [Show full text]
  • U.S. and Iranian Strategic Competition
    1 U.S. AND IRANIAN STRATEGIC COMPETITION: Iran’s Perceptions of its Internal Developments and their Implications for Strategic Competition with the U.S. in the Gulf, Sept. 2010 – March 2011 By Alexander Wilner May 17, 2011 Anthony H. Cordesman Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy [email protected] 2 With the assistance of Adam Seitz of the Marine Corps University, the Burke Chair has compiled a series of chronological reports that focus on Iranian perceptions of national security and assess Iran‟s intentions concerning competition with the US. The latest version of these reports is entitled “U.S. and Iranian Strategic Competition: Iran's Perceptions of its Ballistic Missile Program and Competition with the US and the Gulf, Sept. 2010 – Feb. 2011,” and is available on the CSIS web site at http://csis.org/publication/us-and- iranian-strategic-competition-2. Previous versions include “U.S. and Iranian Strategic Competition: Iranian Views of How Iran‟s Asymmetric Warfare Developments Affect Competition with the US and the Gulf, Sept. 2010 – Feb. 2011” (http://csis.org/publication/us- and-iranian-strategic-competition-1). The Iranian government‟s statements and actions provide considerable insight into the country‟s strategic competition with the US. They help show how the regime perceives and responds to external pressure and its relationship with the international community. The regime‟s rhetoric regarding its “soft war” against external cultural influence and domestic liberalism as well as laws such as the proposed Supervision of Members of Parliament bill provide key insights into the changing nature of the regime and its outlook.
    [Show full text]
  • AS/Pol/Inf (2013) 06 18 January 2013 Apdocinf06 13
    AS/Pol/Inf (2013) 06 18 January 2013 Apdocinf06_13 Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy Exchange of views with an Iranian Delegation Strasbourg, 21 January 2013 Short résumés of the members of the delegation This document is available on the Parliamentary Assembly Extranet website (restricted area for PACE Members) http://assembly.coe.int/extranet F – 67075 Strasbourg Cedex | e-mail: [email protected] | Tel: + 33 3 88 41 2000 | Fax: +33 3 88 41 29 44 AS/Pol/Inf (2013) 06 Dr Ardechir Amir Arjomand, President of the delegation, obtained his doctorate diploma in international law at the University of Strasbourg (France) in 1978. He then held various important positions in the domain of public law, international law and Human Rights law in Iran. He also obtained the status of the UNESCO Chair Holder for Human Rights, Democracy and Peace. During the presidential campaign in 2009, Dr Arjomand was the First Councillor of the candidate for presidency of Iran, Mr Mir-Hossein Mousayi. After the elections, he was briefly arrested by the elected Iranian authorities. He is now the Spokesman of the Coordinating Council of the Green Path of Hope of Iran President. Mr Rajab-ali Mazroui is an Iranian politician and economist, economic advisor to Seyed Mohammad Khatami, the former Iranian reformist President. He was a member of the Iranian Parliament from 1999 to 2003, representing the city of Isfahan. He was disqualified by the Guardians Council to run for further parliamentary elections after the above stated parliamentary term. He has been President of the Journalists Association since 1998.
    [Show full text]