The Economic Consequences of Islamic Fundamentalism in Iran

Abstract

The Islamic regime installed in Iran since 1979 has consistently claimed anti-imperialist and anti-Western credentials. In this paper the author argues that in fact, the regime represents the merchant bourgeoisie, the most backward element of Iranian capital. By analysing such economic statistics as are available, he demonstrates a massive transfer of wealth from the mass of the population, especially workers into the hands of the merchant capitalist class. The corollary of this is that the regime has consistently failed to develop Iran's industrial sector.