ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS USED to play a vanishingly small role in Iranian politics. As Ayatollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 revolution, famously said: “We did not rise up to get cheaper melons.” For decades conservative ideologues chased Utopian visions, whatever the cost, while liberals hungered for political reforms.That has changed in recent years. Debate in last year’s election focused on boosting the economy. Mr Rohani won because he was seen as the candidate most likely to achieve that. Conservatives used to be anti-trade, in keeping with the autarkic and socialist sentiment of the revolution. Now even the supreme leader endorses globalised capitalism. Asked why, a senior official laughs and says, “My son is in grade two and was recently standing for election as class president. I had high hopes. He is a popular guy and articulate, too, and yet he lost. I couldn’t believe it. I asked him, ‘what did you campaign for?’ ‘Justice and dignity’, he said. ‘And your opponent?’ ‘He promised the class better lunch and longer breaks between lessons.’ ”Iranians today live much more comfortably than they did a generation ago, but the past three years have been tough....
from The Economist: Special report http://ift.tt/1zNeNmb
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