Priya De
In 1979, the Shah of Iran was overthrown in a mass revolution. In the process of struggle, worker's councils, known as shuras, emerged in a variety of workplaces across the country, emulating bodies that have propped up in historical revolutions - from the Russian Soviets in 1917, to Chilean cordones in 1973. These bodies raised the potential of the Iranian revolution overthrowing capitalism. However, this potential was not achieved, as Ayatollah Khomeini's Council of Islamic Revolution quickly gained control of the movement, and crushed the Soviets in the process of establishing a new, authoritarian, capitalist regime. This session explores the history of the Iranian Revolution; its inspiring moments, and the reason for its tragic defeat.