Components of Iranian public policy and its relationship to cultural policy During the reign of Pahlavi II

Abstract

Like his father, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi took several steps to consolidate his power like centralization, modernization, and the promotion of nationalism. To strengthen central authority, he reinforced the military, adopted a one-party policy, implemented several constitutional amendments, and imposed strict censorship on newspapers and magazines. In his efforts to present Iran as a modern state molded on Western countries, he emphasized women's rights and freedoms, particularly regarding clothing, education, and employment both domestically and abroad. Legislative reforms were introduced in favor of women, including the legalization of interreligious marriages between young men and women. Numerous women’s organizations and councils were established, women’s journals emerged, and female participation in political life expanded. Notably, during the White Revolution, women were granted the right to vote in national elections. However, these changes provoked strong opposition from the clergy, who viewed them as contrary to Iranian culture and traditions. In response, the state resorted to harsh repression. On the nationalist front, the Pahlavi regime promoted a form of nationalism that revived the glory of Iran's ancient past. The regime paid special attention to the Achaemenid kings, celebrated the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire, honored Mithra, and showed an inclination toward reviving the ancient Iranian Zoroastrian religion. Finally, the researcher aims to present the components of Iranian public policy and their relationship to cultural policy during the reign of Pahlavi II based on the descriptive-historical approach.