The role of the political elites in the political development in Iran (1953-1979)

Political elites in the authoritarian and semi-authoritarian countries that have power tools often fully and continuously can play a main role in the course of political development and undevelopment in these groups of countries. In this regard, the study of the quality of playing of this role in contemporary history of Iran, especially after Mordad, 28, 1332 (August, 18, 1953) coup that was associated with an increase of power of the monarchy (Shah) until Islamic revolution is very important in order to help us recognize some effective factors in the process of progress or little progress in political development in Iran. The question of this article is that what role political elites play in political development of Iran in the years between 1332 and 1357 (1953 and 1979). The answer to this question in this article is that the political elites of Iran in the mentioned era played a preventive role in the course of political development through some actions such as creating pyramidal and hierarchical power, abusing power and corruption, preventing holding free elections and doing electoral fraud, suppressing press freedom and independence and also suppressing of political independent parties and groups.