The political climate and recent (last 100 years) history of Iran is so different from America's that it's difficult to draw a parallel of any kind. American voters arguably have much more real choice than Iranians, at least locally if not for the highest offices. In America there is no controlling group that is overtly untouchable by democratic processes. Also, the lives of Iranians who are not particularly interested in politics are still politicized in a more intense and immediate way than those of their American counterparts -- teachers or journalists, for example.
That said, Iran is in some ways far more progressive than other states in the region. I have only anecdotal reports from young Iranian friends and relatives, and the group I know -- middle class, educated, not terribly nationalistic -- is hardly representative. The few generalizations I can make about their views are that they don't vote out of a sense of helplessness -- which is not quite apathy, but not a protest non-vote either. They can be arsed, but don't care to have what little hope is left in them crushed by fighting the tide.
I am avoiding the news reports for the same sort of reasons. I do care, but don't really think I can do fuck all about it. |
