POLS102: Identity and Politics 4

Introduction

• Friendly classroom environment with class representatives for issues and guidance.

• Final discussion on identity before transitioning to political institutions.

Identity Overview

• Shift from identity to political concepts: presidents, parliaments, and politics.

• Focus on religion as a unique ethnic marker, distinguishing it from other forms of ethnicity.

Case Study: Mohammed Mosaddeq

• Profile of Mohammed Mosaddeq:

  • First Iranian with a PhD in law from a European university.

  • Elected Prime Minister in 1951, aimed to create a welfare state (unemployment benefits, retirement benefits).

• Funding Issues:

  • Sought fair revenue from oil to support social programs.

  • British control of oil profits (80% to BP, 20% to Iran).

  • US had a fairer deal (50-50 split) by the 1950s.

• Conflict with British:

  • Mosaddeq threatened nationalization of Iranian oil to gain fair revenue.

  • Nationalization led to British refusal to produce oil, resulting in political chaos.

International Involvement

• Role of MI6 and CIA:

  • MI6 sought assistance from the CIA to enact Operation Ajax.

  • Aim: Remove Mosaddeq and restore power to the Shah.

  • Operation Ajax:

    • Conspiracy to overthrow Mosaddeq, exploiting his political support among workers and peasants.

    • Initial failure of the coup, leading to Mosaddeq's temporary success.

    • CIA later manipulated public sentiment, using hired crowds to support the coup.

    • Resulted in the Shah's return to power until the 1970s.

Consequences of US Intervention

• 1979: Overthrow of the Shah amid rising discontent against authoritarian rule.

• Aftermath:

  • Shah's exile and the Iran Hostage Crisis.

  • Anti-American sentiments fueled by US intervention history.

• Impact on US-Iran relations continues to this day.

Theories of Identity

1. Primordial Identity

• Identity as innate, often linked to race or culture.

• Argues identity is either genetic or hardwired for psychological belonging.

2. Mobilizational Identity

• Identity is learned and can be influenced or "mobilized" by figures like ethnic entrepreneurs.

• Example: Hutu and Tutsi identities in Rwanda, where political leaders stirred ethnic sentiments.

3. Situational Identity

• Context determines which identity is prominent (e.g., national, religious).

• Example: Cultural identity surfaces in sports or travel contexts.

Evaluation of Identity Theories

• Each perspective has strengths and weaknesses.

• Primordial: Explains fixed identities but fails to account for flexible choices.

• Mobilizational: Explains how identities can be politically significant.

• Situational: Best for describing everyday interactions but does not explain extreme actions.

Ethnicity and Religion

• Religion as Flexible Identity:

  • Allows for conversion, unlike most other ethnic markers.

  • Creates a distinct moral division between believers and non-believers.

• Internal Competition: Sects emerging within religions often compete on doctrinal purity.

Modernization and Religious Identity

Hypotheses

• Decline Hypothesis: Modernization weakens religious identity (common perspective).

• Increase Hypothesis: Modernization can lead to a stronger desire for identity as societies change.

Case Study: Iran

• Modernization under the Shah:

  • Introduced the White Revolution aiming for modernization and social reforms.

  • Increased growth but led to wealth concentration among elites.

  • Discontent among the poor as they failed to benefit from modernization.

• Religious Identity Surge:

  • Failure of modernization among lower classes contributed to the rise of religious identity.

  • Khomeini capitalized on popular discontent against the Shah's regime.

Conclusion

• Examining Iran’s case indicates that failed modernization can lead to rising religious identities due to perceived neglect and injustice.

• Importance of understanding historical context in American foreign policy and its long-term impacts.