Tried to learn more about Iran, only became more confused

[Rhyfelwyr]

I'm stating this as a thought rather than an argument - but maybe all this talk about a Westernized pre-Revolution Iran is based on a a pretty narrow view of the country. The culture in Tehran might not have been very representative of Iran as a whole. Certainly, if somebody is going to write an autobiography for a Western audience, it's going to be a well-off, Tehran-raised, foreign-educated individual like Satrapi, and not some conservative goat-herder.

[Hax]

One didn't have to be a goat-herder to be against the westernisation of Iran. Many intellectuals of the time were not at all in favour of the Shah's relations with western countries. Think Ali Shariati and/or Mehdi Bazargan, who were both western-educated philosophers.

The matter you raise is a valid one: to what extent was the Shah able to pursue his goal of modernising all Iran (urban and rural areas). Scholars are divided on this issue, although it is true that during the White Revolution, the illiteracy and infant mortality rate both spectacularly declined, although this also continued after the Revolution right up until the 1990s.

[Montmorency]

What happened in the 90s?

[Idaho]

Iran is complex nation with all the contradictions you would expect. There are various antagonisms: city versus country, middle class versus working class, educated technocrat versus religious fundamentalist. As has been said, one perspective will represent a particular facet and not the whole thing.

[Hax]

What happened in the 90s?

Rafsanjani happened. Nah, basically I think the level of literacy halted around 90% for both males and females.

To be fair, under Rafsanjani the economy moved towards a more free market-based system, improving Iran's economical position.