Government and Public Opinion
Government and Public Opinion
The impeachment of the Minister of Economy and the vote of no confidence by the Islamic Consultative Assembly should be considered a turning point. The government’s policy for national unity has hit a dead end at its first stations, and at least as expected, it does not appeal to the opposition.
Pezeshkian won the election under special circumstances and took the presidency when half of the eligible voters did not participate, and a major part of those who did participate gave their vote of confidence to Pezeshkian. The start of Pezeshkian’s government was accompanied by crises that emerged on the international stage, which also manifested in the economy.
A large segment of Iranian society sees the rise in the dollar’s price as a sign of the government’s performance, and thus the dollar’s price is considered a metaphor for the government’s activities, even if the government has multiple reasons for the current economic conditions, society’s attention will be elsewhere.
Currently, the government is facing many hardships. The head of the government cannot claim to be unaware of the existing problems. During the elections, the head of the government tried to avoid making excessive promises and considered the implementation of existing programs and laws sufficient.
Pezeshkian’s electoral rivals entered the field with a plethora of programs and plans, which distinguished Dr. Pezeshkian’s approach from other candidates. This distinction was the clear point of difference in the political arena. Understanding why Pezeshkian emerged is important because it determines the government’s direction. Pezeshkian’s government is a product of today’s political climate in Iran, a climate that Pezeshkian’s government pays little attention to and lacks a plan to maintain and increase its social capital.
The most significant threat facing the government in public opinion can be likened to breaking the pot. The public space, tired of existing problems, is ready to blame all issues related to energy imbalances and economic problems on Pezeshkian. Opponents and critics also cooperate and accompany in this regard. This policy inflicts the most damage on the government’s social capital, and the government shows no specific plan to counter it.
The government considers its program to be national unity, but national unity has not been able to find its place in the public space of Iranian society and become an influential discourse. Serious attention to issues such as educational justice and health and holding regular sessions of the Supreme Council of Education are important and commendable actions.
The selection of high and middle-ranking officials from among Sunnis and women is also appropriate and important. The above-mentioned issues, alongside the problems facing Iranian society, are few in number. Holding continuous sessions around national unity, if lacking social foundations, does not move minds nor creates cooperation.
The major problem of Pezeshkian’s government is that it confines itself to a spokesperson for relations with society and a strategic deputy for preparing strategic programs, while the government’s social capital increases when it can connect with the important discourses of Iranian society.
Without attention to the important discourses of Iranian society, the government cannot succeed in maintaining and enhancing social capital. Discourses such as foreign policy de-escalation and justice-seeking are the most influential ones in society. Political currents do not fully represent the above discourses. Economic policies and foreign policy are the most important issues the government faces, and success or failure in them leads to a connection with public opinion.
Dr. Pezeshkian’s government is in a difficult and exhausting situation. The implementation of government programs does not proceed easily, and the expectations of the government’s supporters have not been met. The lack of support from the government’s discursive supporters can deal a major blow to the government. The government’s disregard for the public space is the main area disrupting the president’s policy advancement.
Part of the renewal of social capital requires a clear, non-repetitive, and effective dialogue with society. Another part relates to the alignment between words and actions. Society looks at the government’s performance and compares it with promises, especially when the president speaks of Nahj al-Balagha, the body of Iranian society expects a distinguished performance from the government, ministers, and officials.
The public space of Iran and the strong power of the pot-breaking policy show that the government has no plan for a targeted connection with public opinion. Dr. Pezeshkian has a history of representing one of the most political cities in Iran, but the presidency is different from parliamentary representation. The president cannot be indifferent to the judgment of public opinion. The greatest tool of the government for advancing its goals is social capital.
If Pezeshkian has not forgotten public opinion, he must show that he is taking steps with a plan and purpose to maintain and increase his social capital. If the government cannot maintain its social capital and establish a connection with public opinion, all the blame for existing problems will fall on it.