Academic perspective According to sociology Professor Javad Miri from the
Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, this phrase emerged partly due to the lack of public discourse over past Iranian figures, with the Islamic Republic labelling past figures as "Taghut" () and a need for an "absolute denial of Pahlavi" (). He believes that this phrase has less to do with
Reza Shah himself, and more with a rejection of state-affiliated
education in Iran about Iranian history. Political scientist and writer explained this from the psychological perspective, where this slogan is a sign of "deep dissatisfaction" and "hatred for the status quo" rather than genuine enthusiasm for
monarchism in Iran. Mardiha also believes that realist slogans like these are less "intrinsic" and more of a "temporary phenomenon", and that it is inappropriate to demonize or idolize political figures such as
Reza Shah and
Mohammad Mossadegh. Mardiha also believes that the situation among Iranian society during
Pahlavi Iran was no worse than during the Islamic Republic, and while not denying the evils of the Pahlavi era, he believes that many problems during this time was due to the "backwardness of the people" rather than of the government itself. Mardiha summarizes as the following: In his analysis of this slogan, philosophy researcher Amir Yahya Ayatollahi states that
Reza Shah should be assessed within the context of his reign and not within the context of today's values, and that the European continent and later the entire world was caught up in state
fascism during Reza Shah's reign in Iran. He concludes that, contrary to the propaganda of the Islamic Republic, neither Reza Shah nor his son were anti-religious, and that the tyranny of these two rulers was no greater than that of their predecessors and successors. In Ayatollahi's opinion, whether this slogan is related to Reza Shah and "modernization from above" has to do with the relationship of the
classical opposition to the post-revolutionary political structure in Iran, which he says is "ambiguous". Writer
Robert B. Spencer, who is
critical of Islam, believes that the phrase "Reza Shah, bless your soul" is a clear rejection among protesters for the continued rule of the Islamic Republic. Political science professor
Sadegh Zibakalam from the
University of Tehran also interpreted this slogan from psychology. He views the slogan as a demonstration of disappointment from the younger generation towards the results of the
Iranian Revolution rather than ignorance of historical facts. But he also warned against forgetting the fact that 98% of voters supported the
1979 Iranian Islamic Republic referendum. Zibakalam also wrote , a biography on the monarch's life. He explained the Shah's historical standing as follows: Sociologist and anthropologist , who is ideologically close to the
Iranian principlists, believes that the aristocracy emerging from the Islamic Republic similar to the one emerging during the late
Qajar era. Fayyaz views this slogan as a reaction to this religious aristocracy on the one hand, and is also a demand for new political and social space to get rid of this aristocracy on the other hand. Writer and journalist
Alireza Nourizadeh wrote the following about Reza Shah and this slogan:
Opponents On 4 August 2018, former member of the
Islamic Consultative Assembly and editor-in-chief of
Asr Iran Bijan Nobaveh-Vatan spoke at a media event, and public opposed this slogan praising Reza Shah. He defended the Islamic Republic, saying that the goal of those who use this phrase is to return to the oppressive era of
Pahlavi Iran. Former lawmaker also criticized this slogan during an interview, describing it as "illogical". He also believed that this slogan reflects the inability for correct historical analysis among the Iranian public, especially in the younger generation. The
Iranian opposition group
People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran also opposed the use of this slogan. In a protest outside the
Islamic Consultative Assembly in July 2018, some protesters used this slogan. The PMOI later accused the Islamic Republic of encouraging protesters to use it, claiming that those who shout this phrase are actually "
Khameneists" aimed at "disrupting people's minds", and who received "escorts" from the
police command. Sociologist attributed the use of this slogan in
Goharshad Mosque (site of the
Goharshad Mosque rebellion) to the "clumsy policies of the Islamic Republic" in the narrative of history. He believed that the "policy of humiliation of the
SAVAK" and the "clumsy narrative of the reigns of
Reza Shah and
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in the textbooks of the Islamic Republic" had led to the growth of a generation of people who think "like children" and are unable to understand the realities of
Pahlavi Iran. He also claimed that those who use this phrase are young people who had no knowledge of the Pahlavi era. == See also ==