A Political-Psychology Survey of the Key Candidates: Iran’s Upcoming 2024 Election
Part 3
Abstract
- New Dawn of Reformism[1]
Among the other prominent hardliners figures for the upcoming but sudden Iranian presidential election, there has been a figure mostly related to the reformist’s party/front; or in other words, attributed to the aforementioned front; a simple discourse analysis from the public pole opinion shows that Masoud Pezeshkian is believed to be a leading figure belonging to the reformists (even unofficial, even if unsaid) although he has been holding different posts during the past governments or the parliament, he is still a figure not as famous as Jalili; the pioneer of the hardliners or the fraction known as: “ Resistance Front” but who is this reformist figure? Will he continue or be Rouhani’s third government? We shall see!
1-A) From Small Steps to National Prominence[2]
In a country where politics is synonymous with power and privilege, Masoud Pezeshkian’s rise from rags to riches is indeed unusual. He was born and raised in a small town; for the first part of his life, he knew only suffering and difficulties. Poverty-stricken but industrious parents taught him how to work hard and love knowledge—a combination which would later change everything. Their family poor condition did not discourage them from supporting his passion for education; thus Pezeshkian spent most of his early years devouring books borrowed from local libraries, thereby gaining extensive knowledge about various things. This foundation eventually pushed him forward into Iranian politics where he became known as the people’s champion owing to his modesty and background. As Pezeshkian went through dangerous waters within Iranian political scene, many were deeply moved by his genuineness towards ordinary citizens; it transformed him completely such that now he can be regarded not just as any other local boy but also a national figure who may seriously contest for presidency. There were events in his life that paved the way for him even better, as a young public leader in his early times, Pezeshkian was able to show off his talent when he was suddenly given the opportunity to speak at a high-level conference following the withdrawal of a popular speaker. Since then things have been falling into place for him and each one has acted like a stepping stone towards the next; hence propelling him to where he is now! Pezeshkian’s rise to power can be attributed to series of happy accidents which have always placed him at right places and right times. These lucky breaks could include but not limited to timely exit of opponent from the race, unanticipated changing tides among public or sudden backing by powerful personality. Some people say that luck is just preparedness meeting opportunity while others argue that it is all about being ready for any chances when they come your way; however nobody can deny that this man’s journey has been greased by fortune so far, thus making some individuals wonder if continuing with this streak will see him through in clinching presidency.
1-B) Prominent Moments
Ever since Pezeshkian was a young, fervent activist student and later charismatic mayor, his way through politics has been shaped by some “change-making occasions” which not only put him to the test but also offered platforms for his demonstrations of leadership skills. For instance, there’s no one who can forget about the famous “water crisis” speech where he inspired hope in a drought-ridden community and kick-started a movement that catapulted him into national politics. Or when he fearlessly went against established political norms – an act which earned him respect from many quarters while attracting criticism from some peers at the same time; the analysis proves that being a non-conformist as a president is not a simple task to be perceived easily! Specially, when it comes to important matters like: “Hijab” and “Foreign Policy”.
These incidents together with others have not just given shape to Pezeshkian’s political character but also created within him a strong sense of mission[3] that strikes chord with large sections of voters. With few months left before presidential elections, we might ask ourselves; is fortune favoring this gentleman or is it his unshakeable commitment towards service delivery that will eventually see him occupy highest office in our land? The analysis proves that being a non-conformist as a president is not a simple task to be perceived easily; thus, claims of this kind can cause “character discrepancies”[4]
- The “Différent”[5]
What makes this figure different from other politicians is his strange ability to relate with masses on a very personal basis. His genuineness shines through in every situation, be it in scripted speeches and rehearsed handshakes for his opponents or town hall meetings and street encounters. Born out of humility and undiluted truthfulness, he has come to be known as a people’s hero rather than one seeking personal gains like many career politicians.
Another thing that sets him apart from the rest of the political class is how willing he is to listen and learn from others. Sometimes spending hours on end interacting with citizens where they are most comfortable sharing their worries or ideas which then get incorporated into policies that he suggests should be adopted by government. Not only does this strategy help him build strong support base but also enables identification with real people’s needs when it comes down crafting solutions.
In addition, what Pezeshkian does, brings about fresh breeze into the increasingly divided society we find ourselves living politically today; because he does not want to follow old party lines nor believe blindly in any set ideology[6]. He has received accolades all round due to his determination -seeking consensus points- even if it means working together across political divide hence prompting involvement of more young voters who had previously been disinterested with politics. As presidential race gets more intense; can be there only one conclusion? : – no other aspirant combines sympathy, modesty and realism like Masoud Pezeshkian whose leadership style truly represents individuals’ interests at heart throughout their lives.
2-A) Through Social Media and public discourse
The use of social media is a great development for politics in this era. The campaign of Masoud Pezeshkian is not exceptional. What his team did was to ensure that they exploit the different social media platforms strategically and this has helped him reach wider audiences besides playing a major role in shaping his public image. People with strong online presence like Pezeshkian are able to connect with their supporters, share their visions and humanize themselves in ways that can’t be achieved through traditional media alone. All these things help them gain popularity among voters who may not have known much about them otherwise. For instance, they post interesting content such as what happens behind the scenes during their daily lives or even send touching messages which touch hearts of many people especially those from less privileged background. He receives overwhelming support expressed through comments left under various posts shared across his accounts, -especially on “X” platform – where followers not only commend policies but also narrate personal stories about how he impacted positively on their lives. Such likes, shares plus comments translate into actual increase in numbers making him strong contender for presidency. As campaigns get more intense one wonders whether its luck or skill behind Pezeshkian’s success on social media but one thing remains certain – he knows how to use these platforms effectively better than any other candidate thus gaining an upper hand against them; some famous social figures like Reza Rashidpour[7], express their constant supports for him on unofficial platforms like “X” via the public spaces available to all the audiences.
Conclusion: Overcoming the odds and the “tomorrow after his presidency”
While Masoud Pezeshkian’s star is rising in the world of politics, the race for presidency will not be easy and he knows it. No matter how much support he has from his grassroots movement or how charismatic he may be as an individual, there are still many obstacles ahead that could ruin all chances for success. The first problem lies within Iran itself where getting through its political system is notoriously difficult (thanks to established powers with strong ties to various influential institutions); these groups won’t appreciate outsiders coming into their territory so easily. Also, since he lacks any experience dealing with upper level politicians some might see this as weakness which they can exploit against him during debates or other public appearances where experienced adversaries will surely try everything possible in order to make themselves look better than ever before — especially when facing somebody perceived weaker. Moreover, being aware of Iranian electorate’s history shows us that it is highly divided into several interest groups competing among each other – can such a broad-based reformist vision designed by someone like him win over enough votes needed for victory at this stage? With campaign period intensifying, charm alone won’t suffice anymore; thus both strategy and wit must come into play if one wants odds on their side while aiming high like winning presidency. One of the most interesting and disturbing ideas is to have a “Pezeshkian president” because it would change everything. Given his unconventional background and approach towards politics, this individual’s term in office will be characterized by bold moves that nobody can predict.
One possible consequence may be substantial changes in the country’s bureaucracy with streamlining being expected since he is known for shaking things up and questioning established orderliness. Moreover, the desire for openness under his leadership could result into an accountable system where corruption is dealt with head-on through closer scrutiny among other measures of good governance; though it is always a big difference between mottos and real politics in Iran.
Nevertheless, there are also dangers associated with a “Pezeshkian presidency”. He tends to speak his mind without considering diplomatic implications thereby putting relations between nations at risk while at the same time making foreign policy decisions based on personal beliefs rather than professional advice due to lack of experience in high-level politics. In addition, powerful vested interests within society might oppose any attempt aimed at overhauling such arrangements leading into prolonged period characterized by political instability within the nation.[8]
In conclusion, having Masoud Pezeshkian as “President” would be like playing cards wild guesswork filled with many unknown factors. It cannot be said what exactly will happen next but one thing for sure is that: should he become president this country’s political landscape might witness another turning point in terms of foreign policy and domestic measurements.
Author: Ellias Aghili Dehnavi
Sources:
خبرگزاری مهر, اخبار ایران و جهان, Mehr News Agency. (2024, January 23). متن راهبرد انتخاباتی اصلاح طلبان منتشر شد. خبرگزاری مهر | اخبار ایران و جهان | Mehr News Agency. https://www.mehrnews.com/news/6002006/%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D8%AF
در مورد مسعود پزشکیان در ویکی تابناک بیشتر بخوانید. (n.d.). https://www.tabnak.ir/fa/tags/5287/1/%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF-%D9%BE%D8%B2%D8%B4%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86
نورمحمدیان, م. (2024, June 22). دولت پزشکیان دولتی با تنوع نقطه نظرات سیاسی/تعیین زرآبادی به عنوان سخنگوی ستاد مرکزی. ایسنا. https://www.isna.ir/news/1403040200975/%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA-%D9%BE%D8%B2%D8%B4%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B9-%D9%86%D9%82%D8%B7%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B9%DB%8C%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A2%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87
Khabaronline, خ. خ.-. آ. ا. ا. و. ج. |. (2024b, June 21). نقطه ضعف مشترک پزشکیان و سیدمحمد خاتمی از زبان پسر آیت الله بیات زنجانی. خبرآنلاین. https://www.khabaronline.ir/live/1922660/%D9%86%D9%82%D8%B7%D9%87-%D8%B6%D8%B9%D9%81-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%B1%DA%A9-%D9%BE%D8%B2%D8%B4%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B2%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%BE%D8%B3%D8%B1-%D8%A2%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AA
[1] خبرگزاری مهر, اخبار ایران و جهان, Mehr News Agency. (2024, January 23). متن راهبرد انتخاباتی اصلاح طلبان منتشر شد. خبرگزاری مهر | اخبار ایران و جهان | Mehr News Agency. https://www.mehrnews.com/news/6002006/%D9%85%D8%AA%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AD-%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%B4%D8%AF
[2] در مورد مسعود پزشکیان در ویکی تابناک بیشتر بخوانید. (n.d.). https://www.tabnak.ir/fa/tags/5287/1/%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF-%D9%BE%D8%B2%D8%B4%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86
[3] نورمحمدیان, م. (2024, June 22). دولت پزشکیان دولتی با تنوع نقطه نظرات سیاسی/تعیین زرآبادی به عنوان سخنگوی ستاد مرکزی. ایسنا. https://www.isna.ir/news/1403040200975/%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA-%D9%BE%D8%B2%D8%B4%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D9%86%D9%88%D8%B9-%D9%86%D9%82%D8%B7%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B9%DB%8C%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A2%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%87
[4] character discrepancies is a socio-discourse in the Iranian society with little differences from hypocrisy; this term is used when a political figure talks about claims that are not feasible and are just uttered for the sake of being granted a position in the political hierarchy of power.
[5] Different in French; used here to show the classy-elegant stances of Masoud Pezeshkian
[7] Read more at : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reza_Rashidpour
[8] Khabaronline, خ. خ.-. آ. ا. ا. و. ج. |. (2024b, June 21). نقطه ضعف مشترک پزشکیان و سیدمحمد خاتمی از زبان پسر آیت الله بیات زنجانی. خبرآنلاین. https://www.khabaronline.ir/live/1922660/%D9%86%D9%82%D8%B7%D9%87-%D8%B6%D8%B9%D9%81-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%B1%DA%A9-%D9%BE%D8%B2%D8%B4%DA%A9%DB%8C%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D8%B2%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%BE%D8%B3%D8%B1-%D8%A2%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AA