Bazaaris+in+the+Iranian+Revolution

The Bazaari community is one of the major groups that the shah alienated through his policies of modernization in Iran.


 * The shah believed that the bazaaris were “highly resistant to change because their locations afford a lucrative monopoly,” and felt that he needed to risk going against these strong socio-political leaders to meet his modernization goals (Zehedi 85).
 * Shah promoted the modern sector of the economy, encouraging the establishment of supermarkets, department stores, and banks, which threatened the traditional roles of bazaaris in Iranian society.
 * In the mid-1970s, with high inflation throughout the country as a result of poor economic policy choices, the shah ordered a "'merciless crusade against profiteers, hoarders, and unscrupulous capitalists,’” sending thousands of students to inspect the bazaaris’ prices in comparison to “government ordained ‘appropriate prices’” (Zehedi 87).
 * The bazaaris and ulama bonded over their mutual distrust and frustration with the shah’s regime; they used each others skills to bond as one major opposing force. The ulama gave the bazarris “moral, intellectual, and political guidance,” while the bazarris served as “a moderating economic influence on the clergy” (Workman 49)

Workman, W. Thom. “2: Social Transformation and Revolution in Iran.” __The Social__ __Origins of the Iran-Iraq War__. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner, 1994. __Questia__. 8 Oct. 2009 .

Zahedi, Dariush. __The Iranian Revolution Then and Now: Indicators of Regime Instability__. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2000. __Questia__. 1 Oct. 2009 .