The Rastakhiz Party and the Eventual fall of the Pahlavi Regime

Mozaffar Shahedi

 

With the establishment of Rastakhiz party in March 1971, the autocracy and tyranny of the government reached to its pitch in Iran. Following that the government-formed parties including Iran Novin, Mardom and PanIranist and Iranian parties were dissolved and its members joined the newly formed party.

 

During its three years and half existence, though the party succeeded to establish its vast organizational structure throughout the  country, and held some conferences and seminars, it failed to reach the goals it was primarily founded for.

 

Its main task was to strengthen the Shah and his dynasty's position in the country. The Shah intended to expand his authority all over the nation and his political opponents and prove the legitimacy of his rule. But it failed to do so and the mere establishment of the party enhanced the process ending in the fall of Pahlavis. A collection of different facts, including the Shah's own attitudes, the leaders of the party and those involved in it, the silent but opposing majority of the nation, the lack of coherence within the different sections of the party and the Shah's intervention in any of its moves and decisions led to the failure of the party.