Mosaddegh’s Policies and Political Development in Iran

It was during the premiership of Dr. Mohammad Mosaddegh that the pursuit of independence and freedom, and tolerance of dissent gained momentum as dominant discourse, challenging part of despotic discourse of the royal court. As a result, Iran’s political spectrum became more pluralistic, the Shah’s power was restricted, political parties became diversified, power became legal and democratic, and the dissent enjoyed maximum tolerance on the part of the government. Enacting the Press Law not only stipulated maximum tolerance of the dissent, but also state-run organizations were banned to bring an action against the press criticizing the government or the prime minister. This is why Mosaddegh period is known in contemporary history as “the age of free press”. The dominant discourse in that period encompassed independence, freedom, civil sovereignty, political participation and public welfare. During his 28 months of premiership, Mosaddegh administered the country almost without petrodollars. Unaffected by lack of oil incomes, the crisis-stricken, stagnating and bankrupt national economy regained its footing and became an example of a balanced economy. These indexes indicate that the collection of Mosaddegh’s plans, achievements, and beliefs during 28 months of premiership had maximum compatibility with criteria of political development.