Anti-Western Edicts Analysis
Prior to engaging critically with this quotation one must first contextualize it successfully. That being said, this excerpt was penned eight years before Islamic fundamentalists, like the author, overthrew the Shah and his government in favor of an Islamic theocracy. The anti-western sentiments that coat these words had been percolating in Iranian society long before the Ayatollah had authored this text. Modern antipathy toward Western governments began in 1953 when an ill-conceived attempt to establish a Western friendly ruler in Iran by America and Great Britain, ended in general admonitions against potential Westernization. Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the newly instated Iranian leader, did, upon reflection, serve up a lethal concoction
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Absent these edicts, assuming that Jews and Christians are colluding to undermine Islamic society comes across as entirely unfounded; however, with these edicts taken seriously, such theories are not unintelligible. This point underscores the insecurity that inheres within such policies against Western countries. Proponents of these theories are certainly awash with embarrassment upon observing how heretical, salacious societies like those of the United States have prospered, while their comparatively “virtuous” societies have more or less foundered. Western wealth and success has inspired ire within the hearts of Islamists, like Khomeini, who thought that Islamic devotion was a precondition for societal improvement. To correct for this ideological miscalculation, Khomeini assigns blame to those successful Western countries for short-changing what was impending Islamic success. Underpinning his analysis, however, is an all but dubious allegation that historically Western religions and materialists have converged upon an agreed subterfuge to undermine Islamic governments. What this ambitious impugnment reveals, if anything, is a desperate attempt to scapegoat other classes for mistakes that might be attributable to those doing the scapegoating.
Absent these edicts, assuming that Jews and Christians are colluding to undermine Islamic society comes across as entirely unfounded; however, with these edicts taken seriously, such theories are not unintelligible. This point underscores the insecurity that inheres within such policies against Western countries. Proponents of these theories are certainly awash with embarrassment upon observing how heretical, salacious societies like those of the United States have prospered, while their comparatively “virtuous” societies have more or less foundered. Western wealth and success has inspired ire within the hearts of Islamists, like Khomeini, who thought that Islamic devotion was a precondition for societal improvement. To correct for this ideological miscalculation, Khomeini assigns blame to those successful Western countries for short-changing what was impending Islamic success. Underpinning his analysis, however, is an all but dubious allegation that historically Western religions and materialists have converged upon an agreed subterfuge to undermine Islamic governments. What this ambitious impugnment reveals, if anything, is a desperate attempt to scapegoat other classes for mistakes that might be attributable to those doing the scapegoating.