Shima Baradaran and Dr. John Griffin, Political Science
To understand modern politics, it is vital to study democracy. During the 1990’s, the number of people living in democracy doubled from one-third of the world’s population to two-thirds. Some countries overthrew authoritarian governments to achieve democracy (1). Often Non- Governmental Organizations, non- profit organizations working toward social and political change in a society, and other sectors of civil society aid in democratization. NGOs act as a check on governments, challenging them to enact legislation and follow laws relating to their specific goals. Examining the relationship of an authoritarian government with Nongovernmental Organizations provides insight into the current level of democracy and democratic outlook of a country.
In my research, I studied the relationship of Iranian NGOs to the government. I researched in Iran for 6 weeks. I considered the success of three types of Iranian NGOs, Environmental, Human Rights and Women’s. Although NGOs whose primary purpose is to change government policy are unable to exist in Iran, there are NGOs in Iran who achieve success in influencing government policy. I made arrangements with my uncle, who works for the Health NGO network to facilitate the fieldwork. I contacted and interviewed personnel from the most politically active of these NGOs. I also examined the success of the three types of NGOs in policy change, talks with government, lobbying efforts and dependency on government funding. I obtained information about the NGOs through interviews with NGO and government personnel.
Of the hundreds of NGOs in Tehran, only a handful of NGOs worked with government on policy change. With a limited research period, I could not perform an exhaustive study of all NGOs working on policy change, but only contacted eight of the most active NGOs. I only interviewed NGOs involved in the NGO community for at least five years. My results proved contrary to current scholarship about Iranian NGOs. However, because of the limited period of research, I did not have enough evidence to make my case stand strong against a wealth of counter evidence. A longer research period, and more resources would have allowed me to make my case stronger. I hope to be able to continue this research at a later date.
Another limitation of my research was that NGO staff members were seldom honest about all of their dealings with the government. Most NGOs were somehow financially connected to the government and often neglected to admit how or to what extent. NGOs kept financial records secret because they reveal a lack of independence from the government. Various NGOs also competed with other NGOs for funding and did not reveal how much support they received through their connections with the government. NGOs often achieved change through secret talks or connections with government. Understandably, they hesitated to reveal any of this information to me. This constrained my research because I was hardly ever given direct information in interviews. A longer research and field study period with the NGOs, would have allowed me to build more rapport and obtain more information than I was able to during my research.
As I expected, my research evinced that Iranian NGOs faced numerous constraints gaining independence from government. The NGOs were often started through government initiative and supported by government funding. NGOs in Iran are often centralized and dependent on the government. The beginnings of NGOs in Iran include numerous created and controlled by Shah Pahlavi and his family. The NGOs of the Islamic Regime often follow the same pattern. However, my results also show much progress by Iranian NGOs. Environmental, Women’s and Health NGOs achieved programs and approved policies on their own initiative. Environmental NGOs delayed the building of a highway, and pushed the government to make regulations on air pollution in Tehran (2). Health NGOs published a sex and AIDS education manual, contrary to government standards (3). Women’s NGOs lobbied government for facilities for battered women as well as held talks with government about human rights concerns (4). My results proved contrary to received scholarship, showing success in policy change by Iranian NGOs.
Of the three types of NGOs, Environmental NGOs achieved the most success with protests, letter writing, discussions and lobbying. Generally more dependent on the state than Environmental NGOs, Women’s NGOs attained reform through lobbying, discussions with government and research reports. Health NGOs, most dependent on government, hardly altered government agenda. These successes demonstrate that Iranian NGOs have an important role to play in the reforming and democratizing Iran.
NGOs successful in achieving policy change alone fail to increase democracy. As I expected, the participation of Iranian citizens, especially youth, in NGOs is increasing in Iran. Iranian civil society forms through NGOs involving the public as well as grass roots NGOs following the example of centralized NGOs. Many Iranian NGOs realize the significance of civil society involvement and encourage public participation in NGO activities. As Dr. Motahshami of a Women’s NGO claims, “NGOs must be built from the bottom up.” Only 9 of the 2000 members of this NGO are paid, and the remainder are involved youth from Tehran (3). The membership of AWAEP, a successful Environmental NGO, is also composed of hundreds of youth and growing (2).
Currently, in Iran many grassroots NGOs are following the example of large, government dependent NGOs, but forming directly from civil initiative. In the last few years, AWAEP aided several new NGOs formed straight from youth (2). Two new NGOs formed in District 6 in Tehran are Mothers of Today and Pioneer Mothers. There are a total of 60 mothers in each of these NGOs. Grassroots NGOs popping up across the country teach Iranians the political process, social activity as well as managerial and organizational skills. As well as gaining skills, people involved in NGOs learn democratic behavior. Dr. Kharazmi worked with fledgling Tehran NGOs for four years. She works especially with youth NGOs as she realizes that these NGOs determine the future of peaceful democratization in Iran (5).
Overall, this research experience provided me with a great insight into the joys and challenges of independent research. I learned that field research can be challenging and time intensive. However, I also learned that research can be rewarding and provide hope. As an Iranian, I embraced my findings of a possible democratization in the future of Iran.
References
- Keck, M. E., Sikkink, K. (1998). Activists Beyond Borders Advocacy Networks in International Politics. Cornell University Press: Ithaca.
- Personal Interview (8/1/00). Mrs. Malah. President of Association of Women Against Environmental Pollution (AWAEP). Tehran, Iran.
- Personal Interview (7/7/00). Dr. Mohtashami. President, Family Planning Association of Islamic Republic of Iran (FPA/IRI). Tehran, Iran
- Personal Interview (7/24/00). Yadollah Mohammadi. Organization for Protection of Victims of Violence. Tehran, Iran.
- Personal Interview (8/7/00). Dr. Shahimdokht Kharazmi. Trainer of NGOs in effective Management skills. Tehran, Iran.