Is the notion of a democratically influenced civil society possible under fundamental Islamic rule?
There is serious thinking within Iran’s intelligentsia about ways Islam and democracy can or cannot be compatible. Many of these same students, who grew up in religious households or traditional households, identify as Islamic. Finding a path in which religion and democracy can coexist is important to many of them. There are many who would like to reconcile their Islamic identity and sentiments with the idea of democracy and a civil society. Religion can be interpreted in many ways and one of the major discussions in Iran today is over the interpretation of Islam and the role of the clergy in politics. Are we witnessing the baby steps of a democracy movement? Yes. The masses are sick of the restrictions and the arbitrary nature of the clerical rule. There’s great resentment about the corruption that exists within official circles. What kind of progress has President Khatami made with his reforms? Have they made a major difference for the Iranian people and economy? The changes in Iran
