The president of the University of Tehran says the Basij does not need legal power at all.
Seyed Mohammad Moghimi states that in organizations, there is a shift from the concept of management to leadership, and as we move forward, it is the leaders in organizations who govern, not the managers.
Managers govern using the legal power at their disposal, but leaders possess personal influence instead of legal power. They impact the hearts of people, employees, and even managers who have legal power.
This can be seen in Iran and the countries of the axis of resistance. Compare the Basij in Iran, Hashd al-Shaabi in Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Ansar Allah in Yemen. They do not need legal power at all, and their influence is based on their authority and credibility.