Middle East Information Resource
Political Entities - Rastakhiz
The Rastakhiz (Resurgence) Party is a political Party established by the Shah in 1975. The goal was to turn the Party into a popular base of support for the regime, which would legitimize the the Shah`s political, economic, and social programs. The establishment of the Party reflected the patrimonial attitude of the Shah toward the Iranian people. The Shah considered the Iranian people unqualified for self-government. After he failed to establish a bipartisan regime, the Shah adopted a single party system; he expected great material and economic benefits due to efficiencies of political centralization. On March 1, 1975, the establishment of the new Party and the cancellation of all the existing parties was announced. The Shah called upon all the citizens, "who believe in the constitution, the monarchy and the white revolution, to join." Within eighteen months it was announced that 5 million citizens out of a population of 35 million had joined.
The structure, if not the spirit, of the Party was democratic. The members could elect their representatives from among whom a secretary general was chosen. Party members could raise any topic for debate or complain about any issue. The government was obliged to address. In fact, the Shah intended the democratic mechanisms to be an alternative to opposition parties. However, the power given to the Party opened the way to contests for power and a struggle over authority between the Party and the government. This political centralization and the obligation of civil servants and all citizens to join the Party, caused much public frustration and harmed the image of the Shah, who refused to accept criticism about the single party system.
The creation of the Rastakhiz shattered the hopes of the liberals in Iran that the Shah would lead the state in the direction of democracy, as well as undertaking reforms in the economic, social and cultural spheres. In 1978 protest against the regime became significant and many of the Shah`s politcal opponents found the courage to leave the Party. Withing the party, factions developed and it suffered an internal split. When the civil disturbances spread in Iran, the Party called for the extension of freedom, expressed loyalty to Islam and demanded a solution to economic problems. However, this effort was too late to save the Party from liquidation because it still lacked popular roots. The Party not only failed to realize the Shah`s goals and expectations, it precipitated the collapse of his regime.
When the government of Sharif-Emami proclaimed freedom of political association, in September 1978, within the framework of the national reconciliation, fifteen Parties announced the renewal of their activity. This was the end for the Shah`s Party.