Rentes and Their Effects on the Relations between the Government and the Parties in Iran (1951-1978)

One of the functions of political parties is collecting and compelling the wishes of the people in the society and reporting these demands to the political and decision-making systems. As Moris Dorzhe states since the political parties are the representatives of the social forces in the society, they attempt to satisfy the demands and wishes of those groups, classes and social forces which they represent. This goal is achieved through acquitting and maintaining power by political parties in an election system. Investigating the performance of the parties in the Iranian society reveals that the parties have been inefficient especially since the 19th August coupin 1953. The present article attempts to reveal that the rentier quality of the government in 1960’s and 1970’s was responsible for the inefficiency of political parties in Iran. The government was able to support consumerism in the country through satisfying the economic needs of the people through relying on its entire revenues which led to preventing people from seeking their demands in the framework of creating political parties of following political activities in the society. At the same time, the revenue obtained through taxes made in possible for the government to make very dependent parties which were the mouth-pieces of the government. Through it’s retire capabilities, the government was able to suppress and control the opposing parties and make parties which were its adherents.