The manifest of the Iranian Resurgence Party
The discourse of Iranianism, based on the cultural and idealistic heritage of ancient Iran and the political vision of unity, was the dominant discourse of the Iranian elite shortly before the Iranian Constitutional Revolution.
Even now, during the transition of the past few years, the tendency to “once again become Iranian”, has become the dominant discourse in Iranian society. Surprisingly, this trend within Iran, despite the suppression of the Islamic regime, has surpassed movements abroad.
This cultural-political movement, which has been the product of the efforts of pro-Iranian scholars and activists, is in line with an Iranian Renaissance. In the past few years, it has become a fertile ground for fundamental and radical transformations in our country. In the current political sphere of our Iranian society, the absence of an Iranian-oriented political party is strongly felt.
The purpose of establishing the Iranian Resurgence Party is to fill this void and capitalize on the unprecedented desire of Iranians in recent years, with the goal of liberating the country from political tyranny, economic bankruptcy, cultural decline, and social degradation. This short passage discusses the views of the Iranian Resurgence Party.
On the name of the party
The term “resurgence” carries significant meaning in the Persian language, representing both a physical phenomenon and a mental process. It signifies the revival and empowerment of Iranians for substantial changes in the political and social landscape of the country, as well as awakening from a 1400-year-old nightmare of striving towards an Iranian ideology and ethics. Iranianism entails the preservation of the classical values of ancient Iran, prior to Islam.
In our personal and collective lives, recognizing and expanding the principles of classical Iran can lead to the emergence of a new philosophy and way of life. Iranianism goes beyond mere nationalism, drawing from a deep philosophical perspective that both resists Islamism and incorporates modern nationalist ideals. The Iranian Resurgence Party is a political entity dedicated to uniting pro-Iranian forces domestically and internationally, intending to establish a strong and vibrant political and social presence.
This party aims to build upon the foundations of the Iranian imperial tradition, rooted in pre-Islamic Iran while adapting to the complexities of present-day Iranian society. It is crucial for a political party to articulate its stance on fundamental concepts, such as Iranianism and its implications, to effectively navigate the challenges of contemporary politics.
Iranianism is the promotion of the traditional values of pre-Islamic Iran. By embracing and expanding upon these values, a new philosophy and way of life can emerge that is rooted in classical Iranian culture. This way of life not only honors the past, but also has the potential to surpass it in terms of cultural development and progress.
In this regard, Iran is a strong bulwark against Islamism while also utilizing modern nationalism within its context. Iranianism, a broader and deeper phenomenon than nationalism, is rooted in a profound philosophical perspective.
The Iranian Resurgence Party is a political organization that aims to unite pro-Iranian forces, both domestically and internationally, with the goal of creating a strong and active political and social movement. This party seeks to build on the historical foundation of pre-Islamic Iran, while also adapting to the modern needs and challenges facing the Iranian people today. Our stance on key political concepts can be summarized as follows:
Iran
Unlike most countries in the Middle East and Western Asia, Iran was not formed through a treaty or based on colonial plans. Its creation did not come from an agreement between representatives of segregated territories. Iran, with a historical name dating back at least 1800 years (recorded in the Avesta), is one of the countries that has reached its status through a natural and long-term process, navigating through many challenges and changes. Its identity has developed over time and has solidified into its present form.
We do not believe that Iran is a land divided by nations and clans, but rather a single nation with a rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions. We view all citizens of this land as equals, without any distinction based on ancestry, language, religion, or gender. We do not support the idea of majority and minority, insider or outsider, as Iran is an indivisible territory owned by all Iranians. Every Iranian is a guardian of this land and should benefit from its resources. Iran is the home of all Iranians, not just in words but in actions as well.
Based on this foundation, national sovereignty and the government of Iran are inseparable. The government of Iran must be capable, powerful, and rooted in the national will, prioritizing the fulfillment of national ideals. We are committed to a united, strong, and prosperous Iran, and we will not waver in our dedication to this goal under any circumstances.
Furthermore, taking into account a broader historical perspective, we view the civilization of Greater Iran as our homeland. We aim to foster a cohesive and powerful cultural region of Iranian identity through strategic economic, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation.
The cultural Iran is characterized by its people who know each other and have companionship, empathy, and cooperation with one another. Meanwhile, the Resurgence Party of Iranians upholds four principles:
- The principle of territorial integrity and indivisibility of Iran.
- The principle of Iran as one nation encompasses the entire Iranian nation with all its tribes, languages, dialects, religions, and beliefs.
- The principle of unity under the historical and culturally-rooted national flag, consisting of three colors (green, white, and red) and featuring the symbol of the lion and the sun.
- The principle of shared historical heritage recognizes the cultural significance of the Persian national language as a pillar of national unity in Iran.
Historical perspective
Since the invasion of the old greater Iran by Islam 1400 years ago, our country has experienced a continuous downward spiral. Despite brief periods of stability, Iranians have been unable to shake off the devastating effects of this invasion. The most recent consequence of this historical failure was the Islamic revolution in 1979, which resulted in the execution of patriots, imprisonment of Iranian citizens, torture of prisoners, suppression of Iranian culture, and attempts to erase Iranian heritage. Today, Iran is on the brink of economic bankruptcy and facing potential destruction as a result of these actions.
We cannot view Iran’s exit from the current vortex as separate from the liberation of our nation from the psychological defeat suffered fourteen centuries ago. Following the defeat by Islam, Iran fell away from:
- Progressivism and prosperity
- Rationalism and foresight
- Self-consciousness and the rule of law
- Humanitarian values and equality
- Justice and prosecution
- Majesty and dignity
- Happiness and prosperity
- Meritocracy and wisdom.
Iran became ensnared in the Islamic world, which transformed it from a proud and vibrant country into a prison of failure and humiliation. The Muslim conquerors gradually eroded the core of Iranian culture over five centuries, leading it astray in its worldview and causing much sadness. The invaders’ worldview, in contrast to Iranian values, seemed hostile to every aspect of Iranian identity. Instead of rationalism, Iranians were given faith; instead of happiness, piety; instead of freedom, obedience. Fourteen centuries later, we, the progressive and rationalist Iranians, believe that reclaiming the country from the 1979 revolutionaries is not enough; true liberation requires freeing the country from occupation and resolving fourteen centuries of conflict. To rebuild the Iranian psyche, improve society, and modernize the economy, we must embrace a rational and humane worldview with the insight and strength to overcome dangerous ideological foes.
Therefore, we believe that the Iranian culture contains the philosophical and moral foundation of such a worldview. This foundational principle should be modernized and aligned with the advancements of the contemporary world, institutionalized, and pave the way for Iran’s future progress.
A political party must guarantee citizenship rights to individuals of all religions, including Muslims. Our party is committed to this principle, but fulfilling this responsibility should not hinder honest and unbiased investigations. Without a proper understanding of Iran’s history and global events, any cultural or political efforts are likely to falter. Unfortunately, many Iranian political parties and organizations, influenced by Islamist ideologies, shy away from questioning and examining religion, hindering the ability to accurately identify and address underlying issues.
Freedom and human rights
We believe that all human beings deserve security, freedom of opinion, conscience, and individual choice in their way of life. We support all individual and social freedoms as long as they do not infringe upon the security and freedom of others. Cyrus the Great, an early advocate for human rights, emerged from the pre-Islamic culture of greater Iran, demonstrating that building upon Iran’s classical culture while embracing modern advancements can lead to a prosperous future. Therefore, we uphold and respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, established in Paris in 1948.
The future Iranian Constitution should prioritize the rights of the people and ensure individual and social freedoms to safeguard the dignity and quality of life of Iranians in their own country.
Religion
We respect the right of individuals to practice their chosen religion or belief system, including religiosity and apostasy. While not all beliefs may be considered honorable, we believe in the freedom to follow any belief system. Our society values decisions based on the good of the country and its people, rather than religious beliefs or traditions. We do not support the establishment of a state religion or religious government. The actions of the government branches – executive, legislative, and judiciary – should be independent of religious influence and guided by the choices of the Iranian people.
Islam, the dominant religion in our country, is viewed as a totalitarian ideology that affects all aspects of society, including politics, military, and economics. We do not think that secularism, as seen in the Christian world, would fully address the challenges in Iran. Instead, we believe that raising awareness about Islamic ideology will lead to its weakening and eventual eradication.
Harassment towards Muslims or dissenting citizens is not tolerated in our society. Non-Iranian anniversaries, especially those related to Shiism should be removed from the official calendar. The Iranian calendar should be based on celebrations of Iranian origin, and Islamic teachings should be eliminated from educational institutions.
We strive for a moral framework based on the humane, wise, tolerant, and joy-loving aspects of Iranian culture. We believe that promoting these values will meet the moral needs of the Iranian people.
Politics
We strongly believe that the form of government is just as important as its content. If these two components are not in harmony with each other, we will face an ineffective and vulnerable system that is unable to achieve national aspirations. We believe in a monarchial government system, rooted in the Iranian identity that predates Islam by thousands of years, and which is relevant to modern times.
Such a system can create the necessary environment for progress, prosperity, freedom, and the establishment of justice in the country. We advocate for the principle of separation of powers, with legislative, governmental, and judicial branches. The people of Iran deserve to have a say in the country’s affairs.
We believe that the country requires two strong parliamentary systems, independent of the executive branch, to represent the people in legislation and oversee the government within the constitutional framework. The national assembly should allow every eligible individual to vote, with representatives elected by the citizens to address current affairs.
A Council of eminent individuals should be established to uphold the principle of meritocracy, based on Iranian values. This parliament should leverage the expertise of the nation’s elites, researchers, and skilled individuals to make informed decisions and prevent unwise laws from being enacted.
Both meritocracy and democracy promote patriotism, which serves the nation’s best interests and secures the well-being of the country, its history, culture, and future generations.
Economy (Property and Ownership)
We believe that economic prosperity and providing social welfare should be the top priorities of the Iranian government. Without justice, the country will not thrive, and our society will continue to suffer. We believe in fair distribution of wealth and ensuring economic stability and security for all Iranians. The economy should not be controlled solely by the government but should monitor macroeconomic trends. This will prevent wealthy institutions from accumulating power and influence. We must address the current economic crisis by implementing comprehensive plans. It is essential to recover national assets that have been seized and use them to support the economic development of underdeveloped regions. These stolen assets include properties taken by individuals aligned with the government since 1979.
Governmental and religious foundations have acquired a significant portion of the country’s wealth, state-owned companies, and national assets that have been sold at a reduced price to affiliates of the Islamic Republic through government privatization processes; a short-term program with special task groups should be implemented to redistribute funds recovered from Iran’s looters in order to improve infrastructure and create job opportunities in the country’s poorer provinces, thereby reducing the disparity in living standards between these regions and larger cities.
Furthermore, by distributing state-owned companies and financial centers among various cities, individuals will be incentivized to live outside major urban areas, promoting more equitable development across the country. Until a majority of Iran’s population reaches a decent standard of living, the government should implement a significant subsidy program for families earning below the economic parity line.
After the collapse of the Islamic Republic, Iran will emerge from global isolation and experience an increase in revenue from oil exports and the effective start of natural gas exports. This may allow for the allocation of credit to subsidy programs. The long-term isolation of Iran due to the erroneous foreign policies of the Islamic Republic has hindered the country’s economic progress and deprived several generations of Iranians of a bright future. By adopting a wise foreign policy that aligns with Iran’s national and civilizational interests, we can cultivate beneficial relationships with the global community, particularly the industrial world. By attracting foreign investment, optimizing domestic resources, and effectively managing national assets, Iran can progress toward industrialization. Forming an economic and commercial confederation with neighboring countries within Iran’s cultural sphere, from Central Asia to the Caucasus, will enhance economic prosperity regionally and strengthen historical cultural ties. While recognizing the benefits of globalization for certain countries, we view it as a significant threat to nation-states. Therefore, we prioritize the preservation of national identities and cultural foundations to counter the unchecked expansion of globalism, and we are committed to collaborating with other nations in this endeavor.
Ecosystem
During the years of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s rule, our ecosystem has suffered intense deterioration and reached a dire state. One of the fundamental principles of Iranian culture, which spans thousands of years, is based on the protection of the four elements of life and ecology: water, air, earth, and fire. However, due to the actions of the Islamic Republic government and some profiteers, underground water levels and forests have drastically decreased in size. The construction of dams, encroachment on natural resource lands, indiscriminate hunting, and harsh treatment of animals have put many species at risk of extinction. Treating other living creatures with disrespect, who, like humans, have the right to water and soil in this environment, is neither humane, fair, nor wise. We believe that the preservation of the environment is an essential part of showing general benevolence and must be a priority moving forward.
The fundamental slogan of the Iranian Resurgence Party is:
We look at Iran from the heights of Damavand, Ctesiphon, and Tus.”