Abbas Milani: Series on Iran: Struggles of a Nation
- Public Event
| Presented By: | Caltech Y Social Activism Speakers Series |
Message from the event sponsor:
The dream of democracy in Iran is more than a century old. It began with the Constitutional Movement (1905–1907) and continues today with the Green Movement. What are the problems and prospects of democracy coming to Iran in future? Why did the dream fail to materialize in the past? Must Iran emulate the West, if it wants to become a democracy? Are there cultural, sociological or religious obstacles to democracy in Iran? Has Shiism been an obstacle to democracy or its ally? Where is Iran of today heading?
Dr. Milani will review and discuss the recent events in Iran, and place them in the historical context of their roots. By analyzing the past and the present of these patterns, he will try to suggest patterns of future development, and the reasonable possibility of a democratic transition in Iran's near future. He will also touch upon the complexities these patterns pose for the Obama administration and discuss whether in his view, and in the assessment of the Iranian democrats, they have been handling the Iranian democratic crisis well, or whether they have missed an opportunity in helping the Iranian democrats by focusing solely or predominantly on the nuclear issue. Is there a solution to the nuclear issue independent of the democratic prospects? Dr. Milani will argue that these two are inseparable questions and it is dangerous folly to think that one could be solved in the absence of careful, cautious, prudent and wise attention to the other.
This event is the second in a series presented by the Graduate Student Council and the Caltech-Y Social Activism Speaker Series.
A Series on Iran: Struggle of a Nation.
This event is made possible by the generous support from the Moore Hufstedler Fund. The Series on Iran: Struggle of a Nation is a forum aimed at bringing various perspectives in raising awareness of and encouraging dialogue on the recent events in Iran. For more information about this event or the series, please contact the Caltech Y at (626) 395-6163 or email [email protected].