|
qkg:contextText
|
The 'White Revolution' had created a new urban class of aggressively enterprising businessmen, contractors, speculators and influence-peddlers who treated the state apparatus as an instrument for securing and distributing privileges. The Shah believed that he could stand above social classes and act as a disinterested arbiter of conflicts within society. Iran's economic boom, fuelled by the rising of income from oil, had brought with it an overall improvement in the material living conditions of virtually all sections of society. It also widened the gap between the very rich and the very poor, and created a new urban middle class whose daily lives could never match up to their aspirations for better access to more goods and services. This new class also resented the fact that it was shut out of decision-making. (p. 231) (it) |
