Iran in longing for Saudi Arabia’s successes
Before discussing Iran, let me use Saudi Arabia as an example to better convey my point. Around seven years ago, in 2016 and 2017, Saudi Arabia released an ambitious vision plan with a horizon of 2030, which is about seven years away from completion.
This vision provided a clear picture of what Saudi Arabia would become in the future. Saudi Arabia did not settle for a mere vision document; firstly, it set quantitative goals rather than making vague, ambiguous, and multi-layered qualitative statements.
Secondly, it defined 11 national initiatives and around 80 national projects. Thirdly, the process of its formulation was globally promoted such that now all major media and consulting firms worldwide are tracking it. This document even has a dedicated website. It was never forgotten and created a commitment among all senior managers in Saudi Arabia, so they could neither deny it, forget it, nor ignore it. Now that a few years have passed since the release of this document, it’s worth looking at some claims to see if they have been realized or not.
Saudi Arabia committed to increasing the share of women in the workforce from 22% to 30%. Today, as we speak, Saudi Arabia has not only achieved this goal before 2030 but has surpassed it, reaching a peak of 34%. Saudi Arabia also set a very bold goal to increase its non-oil revenue sixfold. Today, midway through this program, Saudi Arabia’s non-oil revenue has increased 25 times.
The unemployment rate has dropped from 11% to 8%, just one percent away from the final target. Of course, Saudi Arabia has not succeeded in all its goals and has faced failures as well. The issue is something else. The issue is whether there is a collective commitment in the country towards a shared vision of the future or not.
A vision that, if achieved, would make everyone happy together, and if not achieved, would make everyone strive harder together. Mohammed bin Salman has an interesting saying: our true wealth is the aspirations and ambitions of our people. Even in a non-democratic, authoritarian monarchy, they have come to believe that a shared collective aspiration plays a key role.
Strategic analysis and prescription
But Iran, we are a country full of memories and lacking aspirations. When we look at the past, a large part of our history is filled with greatness and glory, and we have been an empire in the realm of governance. In the realm of culture, we have Hafez, Rumi, and Ferdowsi. In the realm of art, just as an example, Iranian architecture remains mesmerizing to this day.
In the realm of religion, the long history of monotheism among Iranians is undeniable. In the realm of technology, the invention of the first refrigerator, windmill, and air conditioning system is attributed to Iranians. In the realm of science, Avicenna is our pride. Usually, when we look at the past, it is a source of pride. Our history is long, heavy, and positive, but, but, but a country cannot be run on memories and the past.
From experience, I have learned that the process of dialogue to achieve a shared vision of the future is more important than the shared vision itself. As the poet said, you and I have the right to be together, even if just a little. There is much to say; let me clarify this with an example. Look at car design: when you sit behind the wheel, there are three small mirrors.
One on the driver’s side, one on the passenger’s side, and another in the middle showing the view behind you. In contrast, you have three large windows in front and on both sides. The side views show the current situation, and the front view shows your future. My point is that you cannot reach the future by looking at the past.
Well, you might say it’s the government’s responsibility. I say no, it’s the responsibility of all of us. Creating a vision of the future cannot be outsourced or delegated; it is the responsibility of all of us. The vision of the future emerges from within society, takes shape in minds, and eventually, one day, a window of opportunity opens for this vision of the future to manifest. We must do our homework; we must keep our minds, hearts, and imagination ready and warm. We must talk, write, and express what we want, what lifestyle we like, and what our ideal government is.
You might think it’s obvious. I promise you it’s not. When we move past the generalities that both the position and opposition, religious and non-religious, share, we realize that we have neither a shared understanding nor a shared vision, and consequently, no shared determination. For example, look at this initial exercise where we tried to present a raw and preliminary vision of the future. Dialogue is necessary, homework must be done, lines must be drawn and redrawn, and dialogue must be repeated anew.