National Movement and Democracy as The Right to Detemine one's Own Destiny

The national movement formed during the contemporary history of Iran was on the one hand joined with nationalization of the Iranian oil industry and on the other hand with the revival of constitutionalism during the 1950s. Iranian National movement, not only was a unique movement in the scope of international political system, but also had a distinguished local feature. The popular movement formed in support of nationalization of oil industry, except its inherent anti-imperialistic importance, was considered a sign of democratization of the government. The consequent changes brought up due to this movement, such as relying on the press and free political parties, free and uncorrupted elections, and governance based on law, all show the realization of some principles indicating the growing trend toward democracy in contemporary Iran. In this national movement, Iranians by forming a union (though instable) between nationalists and religious groups, became the hero of their self-determination in both national and international arenas. The main issue discussed here is that how nationalism in 1950s at both national and international levels fulfilled democratic wishes, though it was not stable. The assumption is that during the national movement of 1950s, national and religious leaders, by receiving influence from the self-determination right of countries at international level and relying on their past history, especially the last constitutionalism, tried to guarantee the freedom and human authority of the people.