Iran (RLE Iran D)

This book explores the impact of the 1973 oil boom on Iran, detailing the resulting social, economic, and political challenges faced by the nation.

The sudden increase in oil prices in 1973 had a transformative impact on Iran, causing its foreign revenues to quadruple in just over two months. As the first member of OPEC to distribute this newfound wealth on a large scale, Iran serves as a critical case study in understanding the social, economic, and political challenges that arose from this boom. The book delves into the cycle of prosperity and the events leading up to it, tracing the country’s evolution from a largely rural and underdeveloped society to the moment in 1973 when the Shah envisioned Iran as a beacon of Great Civilisation, aiming to position the nation as the fifth power in the world by the 1990s.

However, the narrative does not end in triumph. The book also explores the subsequent loss of control over expenditures, the cancellation of ambitious projects, and the growing disillusionment among the populace. It highlights how heightened expectations led to increased social and political tensions, ultimately undermining the initial euphoria. A thorough analysis of Iran's governmental structure is presented in Part Three, illustrating how this system has fostered a repressed stability that hinders genuine social and economic progress.

Iran (RLE Iran D) offers a comprehensive examination of these dynamics, making it essential reading for anyone interested in the complexities of Iran's modern history and the lasting effects of its oil boom.