for the 100th time on this forum
virtually every iranian american has at least a somewhat favorable view of the shah because our families were the ones who fled around the time of the revolution. the shah was very progressive and especially so when you consider the economic, political, and cultural structures of iran during that time. he also championed many liberal causes that are still being fought for in western countries today.
i take it you know nothing of the white revolution (aka the bloodless revolution). the shah launched a series of wide-spread reforms designed to weaken the traditional elitist factions that supported the old system. were talking things such as industrialization, the eradication of malaria, allowing women to vote, nationalization of forests and pastures, improvement of the education system, formation of literacy and health corps for rural isolated areas, profit sharing schemes for workers, and other means to reduce the influence of landlords to further support the working class. he expropriated large and medium-sized estates from elitist factions for the benefit of small farmers, provided free-of-charge nourishment for school age children. he also did a lot for education and greatly increased the average iranian income. the shah dragged those supporting old systems of patriarchal oppression, social inequality, and hereditary privilege kicking and screaming into the future.
on this forum ive been accused by so-called progressive democrats and liberals as everything from being a jihadist to a nazi or a fascist simply because of my background and religion. its disgusting and shameful that i should have to put up with such baseless discrimination just because im an iranian who also happens to be muslim. to put it frankly i expected better from people who profess to have such "liberal and progressive" views. how about you start practicing what you preach!