Hub Podcasts Scott Anderson on how the 1979 Iranian Revolution still shapes the world
Nov 3, 2025
Scott Anderson, an author and veteran war correspondent, discusses his insights on the 1979 Iranian Revolution. He explores how a diverse coalition came together against the Shah, only to be overtaken by Khomeini’s theocracy. Anderson highlights the U.S. miscalculations during the Cold War and the lasting impact of the revolution on global religious nationalism. He reflects on how modernization fueled revolutionary expectations and the complexities of Iranian identity today, emphasizing the irony of repression following liberation.
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Modernization Without Consent Breeds Resentment
- The Shah combined modernization with autocracy and lived in an echo chamber that hid growing resentment.
- His image as an American stooge and refusal to heed warnings made his downfall predictable.
Boom-Bust Expectations Sparked Mobilization
- Rapid economic boom raised urban expectations that collapsed into recession and unemployment for migrants.
- That gap between urban promise and rural reality fueled mass discontent and turned youth toward religion.
Religious Counter-Revolution As A Global Trend
- The 1979 revolt was the first major modern religious counter-revolution and reflected global anti-modern currents.
- Khomeini's exile kept him pure in public eyes while other clerics were seen as compromised by the Shah's patronage.
