Roqe Ep#239 - Is Democracy in Iran Achievable? - Dr. Fathali Moghaddam

A new edition of Roqe as part of the Uprising series with a special feature-length interview with psychologist and academic, Dr. Fathali M. Moghaddam, on his new book: “Political Plasticity: The Future of Democracy and Dictatorships.” Jian and Dr. Moghaddam discuss the possibilities for actualized democracy in a new Iran and the obstacles along this path rooted in historic continuity of behaviour and socio-political structures. Plus, Jian starts this episode with an essay entitled, “There is no “normal” in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” addressing the firing of a teacher in the north of Iran for playing a love song in her class, and challenging a regime-supported narrative of how Iran is somehow returning to “normalcy” after months of volatility. And the regulars convene for the Roqe Roundtable and to discuss the 40th day since the executions of two young men in Iran and the related demonstrations and protests today in Tehran and beyond.