Impact of Political Groups Appropriating Revolutionary Movements in Iran

by Payam Fazli, MA – For Iranism.org 17 April 2024

In instances of revolutionary uprisings in Iran, it has been observed that opposition and reformist political groups actively engage in attempts to co-opt these movements. They often position themselves as the progenitors or rightful leaders of these uprisings to leverage these events for their own strategic gains. 

What are the detrimental effects of such appropriations on the trajectory of Iran’s movements aimed at achieving greater freedom and democracy? When political opposition and reformist groups attempt to co-opt revolutionary uprisings in Iran, several negative impacts can undermine the progress of a freedom-seeking revolution:

1. Decrease in Public Trust: When political groups try to exploit uprisings for their own benefit, it can lead to a decrease in public trust. People might feel that their genuine demands and issues are being manipulated or overshadowed by political groups with specific agendas.
2. Weakening of Solidarity: When different groups claim a revolution as their own, it can lead to divisions and weaken the solidarity among the protesters. Ideological or strategic differences might emerge within the revolutionary movements, weakening their overall effectiveness.
3. Discouragement of Activists: Activists and protesters fighting for change and improvement may feel discouraged and disillusioned when they see their movements being appropriated by political groups for power gains. This can lead to a decrease in active participation and public support.
4. Deviation from Original Goals: There is a risk that revolutionary movements might be diverted from their original goals. When political groups get involved, the focus might shift from core issues like individual freedoms, social justice, and human rights to topics that are more beneficial to those groups’ interests.
5. Misuse of People’s Sentiments: Political groups might exploit the sentiments and hopes of the people for change to their advantage, which can lead to the undermining of the credibility and authenticity of the movement.

Ultimately, when revolutionary movements are co-opted by political groups with specific interests, it can cause serious harm to the goals and sustainability of the movement, which might not be beneficial for the consolidation of democracy and justice in society in the long term.

Strategies and mechanisms that can be employed to counteract the appropriation of revolutionary uprisings by political groups seeking to co-opt these movements for their own purposes

1. Strengthen Independent Organization: Movements should strive to develop their own independent and transparent organizational structures that are free from the control of political groups. This includes establishing democratic and grassroots leadership that is directly controlled by the movement’s members.
2. Focus on Specific Goals and Demands: Movements should focus on their own goals and avoid aligning with political objectives that do not align with their primary principles. This includes continuously explaining and reiterating these demands to the public and the media.
3. Educational and Informational Activities: Educating members and supporters about the tactics and strategies of appropriation and how to counter them can strengthen the independence of the movement. Additionally, providing legal and political education to members can protect them against deceit and unwanted interventions.
4. Diversify Leadership: Having diversity in leadership can help prevent the co-optation of the movement by a specific group. This involves promoting the participation of individuals from various sectors of society in decision-making levels.
5. Utilize Media and Social Networks: To prevent appropriation, media and social networks can be used to widely disseminate the movement’s messages and prevent manipulation by political groups. Creating a strong and independent narrative that is directly presented to the people can be helpful in this regard.
6. Engage with International Organizations: Sometimes, international support and oversight can help protect the independence of movements and prevent their appropriation. Connecting with non-governmental and international organizations can provide an additional level of support.

These strategies can help revolutionary movements overcome attempts by political groups to co-opt them, ensuring that the genuine voice and demands of the people are heard.

Vulnerability of Iranian Uprisings to Appropriation

The appropriation of Iranian uprisings and revolutions by various opposition groups can be attributed to several factors and characteristics inherent in the nature of these movements. Here are some of the main reasons why these uprisings are vulnerable to being claimed by diverse groups:

1. Lack of Centralized Leadership: movements like the protests following Mahsa Amini’s death often lack a single, unified leadership. This decentralized structure, while making the movements more resilient to suppression, also leaves them open to claims of leadership by various external figures who may not be directly involved in the on-ground activities.
2. Diverse Objectives and Grievances: Many Iranian uprisings are fueled by a variety of grievances, ranging from economic hardship and corruption to demands for more political freedoms and human rights. This diversity allows different groups to emphasize aspects of the movement that align with their own agendas, making it easier for them to project themselves as representatives or leaders of the cause.
3. Media Influence and Accessibility: Opposition figures who have access to international media platforms can shape perceptions externally. In the absence of a central voice from within the movement, these figures can gain undue prominence and influence, presenting themselves as leaders or spokespeople, even if their actual influence on the movement is limited.
4. Historical Precedents and Political Legitimacy: Some opposition groups have historical roots or previous political legitimacy which they leverage to claim a stake in new uprisings. Figures associated with past movements or political entities might use their recognition to assert a role in current events.
5. External Support and Funding: Some groups may receive support from foreign governments or diaspora communities, enhancing their ability to project power and claim leadership roles. This external backing can amplify their voice above those within the country, skewing perceptions of their influence and role.
6. The Strategic Use of Symbols and Rhetoric: Opportunistic groups often adeptly use symbols, slogans, and rhetoric that resonate with the public’s sentiments. By aligning themselves with the popular demands of the protesters, they can insinuate themselves into the narrative of the movement.
7. Fragmentation Within the Movement: Internal divisions and lack of coordination among protesters can create vacuums that opportunistic groups aim to fill. These divisions can be exploited by external parties seeking to position themselves as unifiers or leaders.

These factors combined make Iranian uprisings susceptible to appropriation by a wide spectrum of opposition groups, each vying to align the movement with their own broader political goals. This can dilute the original aims of the protests and potentially divert the course of the movement according to the agendas of these more visible or internationally recognized figures.

Key Actors in Appropriating or Hijacking Iranian Uprisings: A Case Study Analysis

Reza Pahlavi

• Background: Reza Pahlavi, the crown prince of the former Pahlavi monarchy, represents the pro-monarchy opposition.
• Appropriation Tactics: Pahlavi has used international media and public appearances to voice support for various protests in Iran, framing them as part of a larger push for restoring monarchy or at least secular democracy.
• Impact: His royal lineage and the historical memory of the monarchy give him a contentious but notable platform among older generations and monarchists, though his impact on actual movements within Iran is limited due to significant anti-monarchy sentiments among the younger population.

Maryam Rajavi and the People’s Mujahedin of Iran (MEK)

• Background: Maryam Rajavi heads the MEK, an organization with a complex history that includes alignments with both leftist and Islamist ideologies.
• Appropriation Tactics: The MEK has consistently positioned itself as a leading democratic alternative to the Islamic Republic, claiming to organize and support protests within Iran.
• Impact: Despite its active propaganda and organizational efforts, the MEK is generally distrusted inside Iran due to its past actions, including its alliance with Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war. Also, recently Maryam Rajavi has pledged autonomy for ethnic independence movements in Iran, a move that is despised by many ordinary Iranians who vehemently support the territorial integrity of their country.

Hamed Esmailion

• Background: Hamed Esmailion has become a spokesperson for the families of the victims of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, shot down by the Iranian military in 2020.
• Appropriation Tactics: Esmailion has been vocal in international media, advocating for justice and accountability, thus becoming a symbolic figure of resistance against the regime’s oppression.
• Impact: His direct connection to a recent, specific tragedy grants him a credible voice, though his influence on broader political movements is still developing.

Masih Alinejad

• Background: A journalist and activist, Alinejad has been prominent in campaigns against compulsory hijab laws in Iran.
• Appropriation Tactics: She utilizes social media extensively to connect with and empower activists within Iran, often publicizing instances of defiance against the regime’s dress code. However, Alinejad on numerous occasions claims that such defiances are occurring under her “leadership”.
• Impact: Alinejad’s focus on women’s rights has gained international attention and grassroots support, making her a significant voice in gender-related protests.

Narges Mohammadi

• Background: An Iranian journalist and human rights activist, Mohammadi has been directly involved in numerous civil rights movements in Iran.
• Appropriation Tactics: Unlike others, Mohammadi’s involvement is grounded in direct activism and engagement within Iran, focusing on human rights and feminist issues. However, there is no evidence that in any of the recent uprisings, Narges Mohammadi has had any leadership role. Quite the opposite, she has spoken and taken positions that in part or mostly have been against several slogans of the past uprisings, including her statement from the Islamic regime’s prison where after “Bloody Aban” or November 2021 protests, she announced that the only acceptable way to express opposition against the regime is peaceful, civil protests. Not to mention that she participated in the regime’s sham election from the Evin prison.
• Impact: Her credibility and direct involvement afford her a respected position within both national and international human rights circles. However, among radical protesters there is serious dissent and skepticism against her as a result of her history of being pro-Islamism and efforts to appease the regime.

Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi

• Background: Key figures in the Green Movement following the disputed 2009 presidential election.
• Appropriation Tactics: Both have used their positions as former political leaders to legitimize the Green Movement’s demands for reform and have remained symbolic leaders for many reformists.
• Impact: Their continued house arrest since 2011 limits their active involvement, but they remain influential figures in discussions about democracy and reform in Iran. Unfortunately, Mousavi took several positions that stood in the face of Iranian protesters, including announcing that his ideal governance is to go back to the “Golden Age of Imam Khomeini”. The latter statement severely irritated ordinary Iranians who were risking their lives to oppose the current regime whose founder is the very late notorious Ayatollah Khomeini.

References and Further Reading

Tilly, Charles, and Sidney Tarrow. Dynamics of Contention. Cambridge University Press, 2001.

McAdam, Doug, John D. McCarthy, and Mayer N. Zald, eds. Comparative Perspectives on Social Movements: Political Opportunities, Mobilizing Structures, and Cultural Framings. Cambridge University Press, 1996.

Parsa, Misagh. Democracy in Iran: Why It Failed and How It Might Succeed. Harvard University Press, 2016.