Iranian pragmatists

The Iranian pragmatists are a political faction in Iran composed of moderate clerics and the merchant elite, the Bonyad magnates and the risk-averse Shia Muslim middle and working class that see the Islamic Republic and its state apparatus as means to retain power. ^[1] The pragmatic faction is receptive to negotiate with the West, pursue a pragmatic, strategic relationship with Hezbollah and other Shia political groups in the region and many would prefer a technocratic market economy rather than closed sanctioned markets. They formed the silent majority of Iranian society, favouring a sovereign Islamic government that respects economic and some social rights while maintaining strict Islamic social traditions such as hijab-wearing. ^{[a] [b]}

Notable pragmatists

• Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani
• Hassan Khomeini
• Hassan Rouhani

Notes

1. Thaler et al. (2011) "The pragmatic conservatives [...] argue for technical and financial cooperation with the West[.] Despite harboring some suspicions [...] the pragmatic conservatives appear to view slowly warming relations with the West as a key to improving Iran's economy and global standing." ^[2]
2. Nader et al. (2011) "Many [pragmatic conservatives] would prefer the Chinese model of economic progress without extensive democratization." ^[3]

References

1. Sherrill, Clifton. "After Khamenei: Who Will Succeed Iran's Supreme Leader?". Orbis. 55 (4): 631–47.
2. Thaler; et al. (2010). Mullahs, Guards, and Bonyads: An Exploration of Iranian Leadership Dynamics. Sacramento, CA: RAND Corporation. ISBN   978-0-8330-4773-1.
3. Nader, Alireza; Thaler, David; Bohandy, S. (2011). The Next Supreme Leader: Succession in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation. ISBN   978-0-8330-5133-2.

Bibliography

• Seifzadeh, Hossein (2003). "The Landscape of Factional Politics and Its Future in Iran". Middle East Journal. 57 (1): 57–75.