Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: A Psychological Analysis
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad_Self Representation & Personality
By: Ulfat Jahan
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the sixth and current president of Islamic Republic of Iran. His victory in 2005 election surprised the international community (BBC News, 2010) since he was the least known of all the candidates (Burke, 2006). His message of a return to austerity, honesty, family values and national and religious pride mobilized huge support among Iranians who were upset at the failure of the reformist government (Burke, 2006). Even though the supreme leader is the ultimate authority in Iran who has the “final say” in all the state matters (BBC News, 2010), it is Ahmadinejad who represents Iran in the international community. He calls himself the friend of the people (BBC News, 2010) and says that it is the greatest honor to serve the Iranian people (BBC News, 2005). He is popular at home country for his simple lifestyle, nationalistic ideals, outspoken nature and impressive confidence whereas these very qualities make him a fearsome and threatening political figure to governments in Europe and West (BBC News, 2010). This essay explores Ahmadinejad’s personality and his self-presentation through analyzing his personal and political lifestyle and more specifically through analyzing his speeches, policies and strategies.
Analyzing Ahmadinejad’s political and social life it seems that Ahmadinejad wants to project the trait “Conscientiousness” which refers to the tendency of an individual to present himself as disciplined, dutiful, competent, responsible, organized, good planner and thorough (Kalat, 2005).
Ahmadinejad presents himself as a dutiful and responsible politician through his simple lifestyle. Unlike other presidents, he has abandoned all the luxuries which his predecessors used to enjoy. The way important guests are welcomed have been changed from an extravagant way to a simpler one and all the expensive carpets of his office have been donated to a mosque in Tehran and
By: Ulfat Jahan
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the sixth and current president of Islamic Republic of Iran. His victory in 2005 election surprised the international community (BBC News, 2010) since he was the least known of all the candidates (Burke, 2006). His message of a return to austerity, honesty, family values and national and religious pride mobilized huge support among Iranians who were upset at the failure of the reformist government (Burke, 2006). Even though the supreme leader is the ultimate authority in Iran who has the “final say” in all the state matters (BBC News, 2010), it is Ahmadinejad who represents Iran in the international community. He calls himself the friend of the people (BBC News, 2010) and says that it is the greatest honor to serve the Iranian people (BBC News, 2005). He is popular at home country for his simple lifestyle, nationalistic ideals, outspoken nature and impressive confidence whereas these very qualities make him a fearsome and threatening political figure to governments in Europe and West (BBC News, 2010). This essay explores Ahmadinejad’s personality and his self-presentation through analyzing his personal and political lifestyle and more specifically through analyzing his speeches, policies and strategies.
Analyzing Ahmadinejad’s political and social life it seems that Ahmadinejad wants to project the trait “Conscientiousness” which refers to the tendency of an individual to present himself as disciplined, dutiful, competent, responsible, organized, good planner and thorough (Kalat, 2005).
Ahmadinejad presents himself as a dutiful and responsible politician through his simple lifestyle. Unlike other presidents, he has abandoned all the luxuries which his predecessors used to enjoy. The way important guests are welcomed have been changed from an extravagant way to a simpler one and all the expensive carpets of his office have been donated to a mosque in Tehran and
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