The election is over and people are happy with the result. Not that they would reach their dreams but just because they have done their best to lower the speed of the decline of a whole nation. Rouhani is the new president, and interestingly a mullah. However, all those candidates are mullahs in thought and this one is the most open minded in that respect. People had no choice. If they had boycotted the election, the government would simply announce some fundamentalist as the president and proudly saying that all those illegible to vote have voted.
There are many outsiders, including Iranians outside Iran who were insisting on boycotting the election and not voting because of the undemocratic election and that they will cheat. I totally agree that the election in Iran is far from democratic, but I am not sure if boycotting it is the best solution.They say that Rouhani is helping to the existence of the regime and I agree with that because he is more moderate and will make the situation a bit better for people so they won't complain much. I know that with the new president who is calling himself the moderate one and a reformist, we are getting back to 12 or even 16 years ago in the most optimistic outlook. But on the other hand, nothing can prove that the collapse of the regime (if it ever happens) will lead to a better situation. History in the middle east has proven that revolution leads to a worse situation in third world countries. There is no guarantee that the situation is gonna be better after the Islamic republic collapses. It might become another Iraq or Afghanistan, who knows? Furthermore, they say that there should be a person who makes the situation worse so the regime collapses. But I'm asking "how much does it cost"? It's easy for those abroad living in free countries and enjoying the democracy or freedom of speech and human rights to say that the situation in Iran has to get worse so people revolt. But no one thinks about people who are supposed to bear with that hardship. How long is that gonna take? Surely it is not a matter of a couple of months or years. So basically it means that a few generations have to live in shit and loose their lives. The theory might seem interesting but in practice, it is very harsh. With the result of the recent election, Iranians are much happier and have hope. I can see hope in their eyes and deeds...That's precious!
The results of the election helped facts become clear. Those who voted for Rouhani and those who didn't vote at all are all in the same group, i.e. they are against government policies and want change or reform. Interestingly, the number of people who voted for other candidates were less than 15 million people all together. The number of people who voted for the most fundamentalist candidate were less than 4 million. This is promising because it shows that fundamentalists and extremists in Iran are so few. I was even surprised to hear that number and found some hope in the future of Iran.
I believe nothing can help Iran but a gradual reform. The poor mullahs of 30 years back, are now wealthy and they have realized themselves that the life style and ideologies they are (were) promoting. A more open government, even an Islamic one has no choice but changing its policies in the course of time. When they decrease censorship and let people become aware of the world issues, they won't be able to limit them like before. There is no way but a more open society. If they continue the way they have been doing during the past 30 years, they will not live so long. I am hoping that things get better and in 50 years, there will be no Islamic Republic but an Iranian Republic.
Comments
Post a Comment