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 seen as a turning point. The government’s policy for national unity has faced a deadlock at its initial stages and, at least as expected, lacks appeal for the government’s opponents.
Pezeshkian won the election under special circumstances and assumed the presidency while half of eligible voters did not participate, and a significant portion of those who did participate gave their vote of confidence to Pezeshkian. The beginning of Pezeshkian’s government coincided with crises that emerged on the international stage, which also manifested in the economic arena.
A large segment of Iranian society views the rising dollar prices as indicative of the government’s performance, and thus, the dollar’s price is considered a metaphor for governmental activity, even if the government has multiple reasons for the existing economic conditions, public perception will look elsewhere.
Currently, the government is facing numerous hardships. The head of the government cannot claim ignorance of the obstacles in his path. During the election, the head of the government tried to avoid making excessive promises and deemed the implementation of existing programs and laws sufficient.
Pezeshkian’s electoral rivals entered the arena with a plethora of programs and plans, distinguishing Dr. Pezeshkian’s approach from other candidates. Understanding why Pezeshkian emerged is important as it determines the government’s direction. Pezeshkian’s government is a product of today’s political climate in Iran, a climate to which Pezeshkian’s government pays little attention and lacks a plan to maintain and increase its social capital.
The greatest threat facing the government in public opinion can be likened to scapegoating. The public, weary of existing problems, is ready to blame all issues related to energy imbalances and economic troubles on Pezeshkian. Opponents and critics also collaborate and support this, which inflicts the most damage on the government’s social capital, and the government shows no clear program to counter it.
The government considers its program to be national unity, but national unity has not been able to establish itself in the public sphere of Iranian society nor become an influential discourse. Serious attention to issues such as educational justice and health, and the regular convening of the Supreme Council of Education are important and commendable actions.
The selection of high and mid-level officials from among Sunnis and women is also timely and important. The above issues, alongside the problems facing Iranian society, are considered few. Regular meetings on national unity, if lacking social foundations, do not move minds or create collaboration.
A major problem for Pezeshkian’s government is that it limits itself to a spokesperson for community relations and a strategic planning deputy, whereas 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 maintain and enhance its social capital. Discourses such as foreign policy de-escalation and justice-seeking are the most influential in society, and political currents do not fully represent these discourses. Economic and foreign policy are the most important issues the government faces, and success or failure in them leads to interaction with public opinion.
Dr. Pezeshkian’s government is in a difficult and exhausting situation. The implementation of the government’s programs is not progressing easily, and the expectations of the government’s supporters have not been met. The lack of support from the government’s discursive supporters can cause significant harm to the government. The government’s disregard for the public sphere disrupts the most important arena for advancing the president’s policies.
Part of the renewal of social capital requires direct, non-repetitive, and effective dialogue with the community. Another part relates to the alignment between words and actions. The community observes the government’s performance and compares it with promises, especially when the president speaks of Nahj al-Balagha, the Iranian public expects distinguished performance from the government, ministers, and officials.
The public sphere of Iran and the strong power of scapegoating indicate that the government lacks a plan for purposeful communication with public opinion. Dr. Pezeshkian has a history of representing one of the most politically active cities in Iran, but the presidency differs from parliamentary representation. The president cannot be indifferent to the judgment of public opinion. The greatest tool for the government to advance its goals is social capital.
If Pezeshkian has not forgotten public opinion, he must demonstrate that he is taking purposeful steps to maintain and increase his social capital. If the government cannot preserve its social capital and connect with public opinion, all the blame for existing problems will fall upon it.