The Pragmatists are a political faction in Iran composed of Iranian moderates, the merchant elite, the Bonyad magnates, the sanctions-busting businesspeople and the risk-averse Shia Muslim middle and working class that see the Islamic Republic and its state apparatus as means to retain power and influence. 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 and power broker of Iranian society, favouring a sovereign Islamic government that respects economic and some social rights while maintaining basic Islamic social traditions such as hijab-wearing.