It's People Power, not "Democratic Diddling" in Iran

"I suppose that human beings looking at it would say that arms are the most dangerous things that a dictator, a tyrant needs to fear. But in fact, no - it is when people decide they want to be free. Once they have made up their minds to that, there is nothing that will stop them." -- Desmond Tutu

Over the past several days, a very worrisome trend has emerged in the commentary about the uprising in Iran. Several observers- understandably wary of a possible US role in any unexpected activities abroad- have been making the case that the Iranian election uprising is not homegrown, but rather the result of US intervention in the form of a "soft coup." Not to put too fine a point on it, but that insinuation is patently insulting to the millions of people who are, at this moment, risking their lives in what could become the biggest game-changer in Iran in decades.

The regime itself recognizes this, and each time it escalates the repression, it betrays its loss of legitimacy and galvanizes the pro-democracy activists just that much more. Ivan Marovic, a veteran from the Otpor movement which helped to bring down Milosevic in Serbia in 2000 compares this dynamic to Newton's 3rd law: "Every time they [the oppressor] increase the level of repression, the resistance goes up as well."

But none of this would be possible if the Iranian regime had not already lost its legitimacy from the inside- something that nearly a decade of neoconservative "democracy promotion" was unable to accomplish. In fact, it is safe to say that the displays of people power we've been witnessing on the streets of Iran over the last week are despite, not because of, American propaganda.

Although every mass nonviolent struggle is unique in its own way, there are a few requirements for success, and it appears that the Iranian pro-democracy movements have met each of these.

The first is indigenousness. No mass nonviolent struggle can succeed unless it comes from the people. There is a very simple reason: the level of risk and commitment required to carry out a struggle of this magnitude can only be accessed when a person feels ownership over the outcome; when they understand that it is up to them to withdraw their complicity in oppression, and that their actions will inspire others to do so as well. Think for a moment - if you can imagine- about what could get you to leave your home under conditions like the ones we now see in Tehran, go to the streets, and stay there, despite a very real risk of violence. Would you do it for a few dollars, a cell phone, or at the behest of an imperial power? There is absolutely no reason for any Iranian who genuinely does not feel a stake in this struggle to be on those streets.

The second is nonviolent discipline. Despite the regime's pathetic claims to the contrary, the actions on the part of the pro-democracy movement in Iran have thus far been nonviolent. This is critical for a couple of reasons: one, the use of violence by a movement undermines its legitimacy as a genuine source of alternative power, and two, violence on the part of the movement creates the pretext for the regime to respond violently itself. As it stands, the use of violent repression by the regime against scores of nonviolent protesters continues to whittle away at the last shreds of the regime's legitimacy, especially as the world watches via Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. The regime seems to understand-- as pointed out by Desmond Tutu in the quote above-- that they have more to fear from strict adherence to nonviolent tactics by the movement than any use of weapons.

The third requirement for nonviolent success is strategy. Although most media have been covering the events in Iran as spontaneous, the reality is that the movements there have been preparing for this opportunity for several years. The creativity of actions, continuous implementation of tactics, and skillful use of digital media in communicating to people both inside and outside of the country all indicate that the uprising in Iran is not ad hoc. And despite what advocates of "soft coup" conspiracy theories might argue, the indigenousness requirement extends to strategizing. It is Iranians alone who understand their political and cultural setting well enough to create an effective movement with messages that fit into the pre-existing civil society.

Finally, in order for a movement to sustain the momentum we've seen over the past week, there must be a genuine will to resist. What is missing from media coverage, and frankly, from Western attitudes, about the events in Iran, is a recognition of the political energy and dynamism that characterizes the movement. Is the cynicism the result of years of the neoconservative agenda of democracy promotion- a concept that has very little to do with actual democracy? Or is it a general uneasiness with anything that does not fit neatly into our preconceived notions of what people power is supposed to look like?

While no one else but the Iranian people can bring this struggle to fruition, we observers- especially in the West- should think carefully about the degree to which we are willing to undermine what may turn out to be the most significant show of grassroots people power in decades.

Follow Cynthia Boaz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cynthiaboaz

Comments

[oxi]

Nothing's changed! Same leaders in power!

Same with China 20 years ago, nothing's changed!

Here in the U.S. if hundreds of thousands took to the streets the outcome would be the same. The U.S. would deploy massive police forces hell bent on cracking heads and removing protesters, drop tear gas by helicopters and who knows what else.

Unlike Iran here in the U.S. their is a fear among the populace that rising up and protesting will place you on a terror watch list which would place your job and life in jeopardy. Here in the U.S. unlike Iran the NSA and Dept. of Homeland Security has many weapons to track you with and that discourages people from protesting and rising up.

Iran does not have these technologies so they have to use old fashioned methods while the U.S. will get you on the grid somehow to deter protesters.

[humanbeing-rick]

We freedom loving people, in each of our countries, can learn from each other in our common struggle for our human rights. We can offer advice, but we all have to fight our own battle in each of our own countries. We can also offer safe haven to these good people who seek refuge.

As a fellow human being on this planet, fighting for our human rights in the USA, I wish to express my solidarity with the Iranians that are struggling for their own human rights, independence, and freedom.
The vibrant youth and visionaries of Iran are beginning to create their own free state. Good for them! More power to the People, everywhere on the planet!

However, it is not the place of America to interfere with the Iranian human rights movement.
America needs to keep it's nose in it's own business.
The people of America still have a huge struggle ahead of us in fighting for our own human rights.
Americans should be out in the streets protesting too.
The corporate and financial tycoons must be overthrown, to regain our own human rights in America.

I am sure the Iranians are fully capable fo taking care of their own, just as we must.