The Ayatollah Legs To Differ Analysis
The Ayatollah Begs to Differ: The Paradox of Modern Iran
Michael A. Pitts
POLS 348
September 23, 2016 Reflection Paper
I found the book written by Hooman Majd, to be very informative and interesting, as it exposed a new view of a country, that has always been viewed as anti-western, anti-democracy and dictatorial. This reflection paper will take a look at how the book by Hooman Majd, portrays Islamic Republic of Iran, and why the country and Khomeini seem to oppose western influence and democracy. The outside world and many western countries regard Iran as a dictatorial country that wants to disrupt world peace, through the production of nuclear weapons.
I agree with most of the points that Hooman Majd raises in the book, nevertheless not 100 percent, since he has spent more time in the United States, than he has spent on the run. However, Hooman Majd refers himself as to being 100 …show more content…
I agree with his view that Iran is a Shia country with an inferiority complex, which always feels threatened by neighboring countries such as Iraq and Sunni-led Saudi Arabia. For example, when Saddam Hussein invaded Iran in the 1980's, the international community took sides with Iraq, and since then, Iran felt the need to develop nuclear weapons to protect itself (Sutherlin, 2009).
I enjoyed reading the book very much as Hooman Majd gives a rare view of a country that is considered by many people as a paradox. Through the book, a reader can understand the many reasons which make Iranians handle their foreign policy the way they do, and how successive presidents and ayatollahs fueled or cooled the relations between Iran and the outside world. The book also portrays some presidents as hardliners, for example Ahmadinejad, while others are reformists such as
Michael A. Pitts
POLS 348
September 23, 2016 Reflection Paper
I found the book written by Hooman Majd, to be very informative and interesting, as it exposed a new view of a country, that has always been viewed as anti-western, anti-democracy and dictatorial. This reflection paper will take a look at how the book by Hooman Majd, portrays Islamic Republic of Iran, and why the country and Khomeini seem to oppose western influence and democracy. The outside world and many western countries regard Iran as a dictatorial country that wants to disrupt world peace, through the production of nuclear weapons.
I agree with most of the points that Hooman Majd raises in the book, nevertheless not 100 percent, since he has spent more time in the United States, than he has spent on the run. However, Hooman Majd refers himself as to being 100 …show more content…
I agree with his view that Iran is a Shia country with an inferiority complex, which always feels threatened by neighboring countries such as Iraq and Sunni-led Saudi Arabia. For example, when Saddam Hussein invaded Iran in the 1980's, the international community took sides with Iraq, and since then, Iran felt the need to develop nuclear weapons to protect itself (Sutherlin, 2009).
I enjoyed reading the book very much as Hooman Majd gives a rare view of a country that is considered by many people as a paradox. Through the book, a reader can understand the many reasons which make Iranians handle their foreign policy the way they do, and how successive presidents and ayatollahs fueled or cooled the relations between Iran and the outside world. The book also portrays some presidents as hardliners, for example Ahmadinejad, while others are reformists such as