In the States, businesses borrow money from banks. The Bonyad's have the priviledged relationships with Iran's banks so the bazaaris fill in the gaps for business. Because credit is rationed and it’s rare private businesses have access so the bazaari step in, like a bookie, and act as money lenders. Though it’s illegal, they set up a system of systematically back-dating checks. I wonder if this arrangement has anything to do with the unemployment rate running around 12.5% (or is it closer to 20 percent). It would seem to me that the country will have its hands full with the arrival of 1980s baby-boomers in the workforce.zenspiderz said:
The principal beneficiaries of wealth distribution transferred from the Shah's cronies to the clerics (bonyads). So much for the "covenant of the meek" speeches. These charitable organizations use their wealth (some estimate 35% of the country's wealth on questionable purposes). It was a boynad boss who announced his charity was offering $2.5 million for Salman Rushdie's head.
Nope U.S.zenspiderz said:
I doubt very highly that their charities have the accountability and transparency to their donors versus the ones I contribute to. But it does seem curious to me that they are contributing to their own personal wealth as Ayatollah Abbas Vaez-Tabazi has. Buying up 90% of the arable land around Mash-had and a Cola factory?
I’m saying the Iraqi version of Shiaism is pursuing a more traditional and quietist form of Shiaism (Ali Sistani) versus the more radical and highly politicized version of Shiaism is taught in Qom.zenspiderz said:
Nope. Syria/Lebanon and eventually Iraq (France’s sphere of influence pre WWII). The Baathist regimes are directly linked to Vichy and later Soviet governments.zenspiderz said:
