Hemn Rahimi
Investigating the Traces of Capitalist Realism in Iranian Society
Keyvan Mohtadi and Anisha Asadollahi
So left, two, three: Towards a Collective Politics Against Instability
Moderator: Touraj Atabaki
The panel “Pathology and Evolution of Recent Social Movements” explored various facets of contemporary social upheavals in Iran. The focus was particularly on the reasons behind the apparent failures of recent political movements and uprisings, especially their inability to achieve even minimal success.
Key Points from the Panel Discussion:
Heyman Rahimi’s analysis of “Capitalist Realism in Iranian Society” examines the reasons behind the failure of recent political movements in Iran, particularly their inability to achieve significant outcomes. He argues that understanding these failures requires a closer look at the cultural and political landscape of contemporary Iran, shaped by late-stage capitalism and neoliberalism. Neoliberalism, as the dominant economic and political structure, has transformed the culture, leading to changes in social solidarity and forms of activism.
Rahimi uses Mark Fisher’s concept of capitalist realism—the belief that capitalism is the only viable system, encapsulated by Thatcher’s statement, “there is no alternative”—to explain the sense of defeat and withdrawal prevalent in Iranian society. This mindset has led to widespread disengagement from political action, as people resign themselves to failure and adopt a pessimistic view of change. This cultural shift, alongside political repression and authoritarianism, has significantly weakened solidarity, preventing mass movements for meaningful political transformation.
Rahimi also draws parallels between Iran’s political struggles and the failure of the Arab Spring revolutions, where a lack of viable alternatives to existing regimes hindered success. He points to the growing trend of migration among disillusioned Iranians as another symptom of capitalist realism, alongside the rise of precarious work and unemployment, which are characteristics of late-stage capitalism. Ultimately, Rahimi suggests that this cultural and political environment has severely limited the potential for social change in Iran.
The Capitalist Realism Lens
Keyvan Mohtadi and Anisha Asadollahi’s presentation focused on the concept of *capitalist realism*, a term coined by cultural theorist Mark Fisher. This theory posits that neoliberal capitalism has established itself as the only viable political-economic system, rendering any alternative seemingly unimaginable. The famous phrase “There is no alternative,” associated with Margaret Thatcher, encapsulates this ideology. Mohtadi and Asadollahi argue that capitalist realism has deeply permeated Iranian society, shaping both the culture and politics of contemporary Iran.
Neoliberalism and Iranian Society
The speakers emphasized the significant impact of neoliberalism on Iran’s socio-economic landscape. Neoliberalism, with its focus on deregulation, privatization, and market-driven policies, has transformed both the economy and the cultural fabric of the country. In the context of Iran, this economic shift has altered traditional forms of social solidarity and collective action. The widespread adoption of neoliberal policies has led to more individualistic attitudes and fragmented societal bonds, which in turn have affected the efficacy of social movements and political resistance.
Failure of Recent Political Movements
Mohtadi and Asadollahi explored the underlying reasons why recent political movements in Iran often fail to achieve their goals. They argue that beyond political repression and state violence, a deeper cultural factor contributes to the stagnation of these movements: capitalist realism. In Iran, capitalist realism manifests as a widespread belief that there is no viable alternative to the current political and economic systems. This creates a culture of resignation, where individuals accept defeat and disengage from active participation in social change. The result is a collective feeling of hopelessness and withdrawal from political activism, which prevents the formation of effective opposition movements.
The Role of Culture in Political Failures
The scholars pointed out that the failure to generate a cohesive and large-scale movement in Iran is partly due to the cultural impacts of capitalist realism. The notion that “nothing will change” or “there is no alternative” has permeated the collective consciousness of many Iranians. This has resulted in a reluctance to organize, protest, or resist, as people feel that their efforts will be in vain. This sense of cultural defeatism exacerbates the political repression faced by activists, making it even harder for social movements to gain momentum and attract widespread support.
Parallels to the Arab Spring
In their presentation, Mohtadi and Asadollahi drew parallels between the political situation in Iran and the failure of the Arab Spring revolutions. They argued that, like the Arab Spring, Iranian political uprisings often fail due to the lack of a clear alternative or plan for post-revolution governance. Both in Iran and across the Arab world, movements have struggled to provide a viable replacement for existing regimes. This has contributed to the stagnation of revolutionary efforts and the persistence of authoritarian systems.
The Role of Migration and Labor Changes
Another significant factor explored in the panel was the rising trend of emigration among Iranians, especially young people. Many Iranians are disillusioned with the future prospects in their own country and see migration as a more viable option than staying and fighting for political change. This phenomenon is a direct reflection of the capitalist realism mindset, where people choose to “exit” rather than “voice” their concerns. Additionally, Mohtadi and Asadollahi discussed the impact of neoliberal economic policies on labor relations in Iran. The rise of precarious work, underemployment, and unemployment are seen as symptoms of late-stage capitalism, which further fuels dissatisfaction and disengagement among the populace.
The Challenge of Building Solidarity
One of the critical challenges facing Iranian social movements today is the difficulty in building solidarity across different sectors of society. The panelists argued that the fragmentation of labor and the rise of precarious employment under neoliberalism have weakened traditional forms of collective organization, such as labor unions and grassroots movements. This fragmentation has made it harder for people to come together and form unified fronts against political and economic oppression.
Capitalist Realism as a Barrier to Change
Mohtadi and Asadollahi argued that the pervasive influence of capitalist realism in Iran presents a significant barrier to political and social change. The belief that capitalism is the only viable system, combined with the disillusionment and disengagement of the population, has led to the failure of many recent social movements. The panelists called for a reevaluation of this mindset and emphasized the importance of imagining and advocating for alternative systems and futures. Without breaking free from the confines of capitalist realism, they argued, it will be difficult for Iranian society to overcome its current political and economic challenges.
