The Golden Era of the Medical Government
The golden era of the Medical Government is the time and season when any government in the world of politics begins its work, accompanied by opportunities and chances that, once passed, may never provide such a broad and conducive ground for optimal management again. This golden time might slip away for a pittance, or reviving this position might require extensive preparation and considerable expenses.
Usually, governments are at the peak of popularity and public support when they start their work. Due to the unique promotional atmosphere, the excitement and encouragement of the social base, and the feeling of victory and hope among electoral supporters, who make up the majority of voters, they have a more favorable ground than ever to advance their goals, priorities, and plans.
Again, typically, as time passes and distance from the promotional atmosphere and idealistic perceptions increases, the failure to achieve declared slogans, various incidents and events that occur in the tough and complex terrain of politics and national management, lead to a declining trend in this public acceptance and popularity. This is a common and prevalent rule worldwide.
The fourteenth government came to power after several years of declining public acceptance, at a time when this declining trend had slightly leveled and taken a positive, albeit slight, turn. However, the point was that the situation lacked tangible stability and a solid foundation, and from the very beginning, the government seemed to be walking on the edge of a blade.
When you inherit a dysfunctional structure and an undesirable situation, acknowledged by both critics and supporters, when faced with imbalances and various mega-crises at multiple levels, and when you cannot make major changes in the short term, to turn that walk on the edge of a blade into an opportunity and a platform for success, and to make the most of the golden time at the start of the government’s work as previously described, to avoid social disintegration and post-election hopelessness, there is no solution but low-cost reforms with a comprehensive scope.
Low-cost reforms that are not time-consuming and do not require major changes and strong shocks, thus they will not encounter much resistance and stubbornness from opponents. On the other hand, at the beginning of the government’s work, the support and harmony of supporters are at an optimal point, and everything is ready for a hopeful display and attracting public opinion.
In the case of the fourteenth government, interestingly, the grounds for acceptance and public opinion support, with minimal challenges from government opponents, are smooth and favorable. Strangely, not much benefit is taken from this, and instead, we witness the government treading a reverse and incorrect path.
When the so-called principlist faction comes to power in the government or parliament and council elections, we witness major changes and maximum recruitment of their own forces. To the extent that during the fourteenth presidential election, Fereydoun Haddad Adel said in an interview that if Pourmohammadi or Pezeshkian come to power, by the end of July 2024, they will make such extensive changes that there will be no room for the bus transfer of managers.
This means that even government opponents know that major changes are necessary and had accepted that Pezeshkian, like themselves, would also utilize his like-minded and verbal companions to strengthen the structure of the fourteenth government. However, not only is the pace of changes slow and dysfunctional, but under the pretext of a strange interpretation of national unity as a political joint-stock company, we are witnessing that now the supporters of Qalibaf show more satisfaction and alignment with appointments, a point that will lead to a noticeable decline in the hope of supporters and consequently the government’s social capital.
Masoud Pezeshkian made a great effort not to make promotional promises during the elections so that we might not witness the same decline in public opinion in the post-election atmosphere. However, he emphasized a few important points, including lifting censorship and improving the virtual space, something that can be achieved in a short time frame and was even emphasized by all presidential candidates. Yet, not only has nothing tangible happened, but the strange and bizarre statements of the Minister of Communications, which he later corrected, but the initial statement remained in people’s minds, exacerbated the unfavorable atmosphere towards the government.
Certainly, no one seeks to solve the numerous problems and mega-crises facing the country in a short time frame, and no such expectation exists. However, instead of utilizing its golden time and actions that could enhance or at least stabilize its social capital with minimal cost and energy, the government is taking a path that can be said to be capital-consuming and weakening social capital, a place where the finger of blame cannot be pointed at government critics, and a serious look at the internal structure and a change in approach is demanded.
