United States and Iran Demonize

¶ … United States and Iran demonize

How do the United States and Iran demonize each other?

The relationship between the United States and Iran is possibly at its worst in decades. Official diplomatic connections are essentially none existent and there is great hesitancy to have this altered. Historically the leadership of both countries has employed a discourse that is designed to inflame the passions of their citizens while at the same time cast the other country, not simply in a negative light, but as evil. This use of demonization by both states creates a scenario which makes any future corporation highly unlikely.

Beeman (2005) posits that the relationship between the two states cannot simply be understood as a conflict of interest or the resistance of westernization. It goes beyond those conceptual structures and is best described as the construction of a "mythological image." This image is designed to demonize the other party, and it is "calculated to be immediately understood by the man in the street" (Beeman 2005, p.1).Demonization then is a deliberate strategy that paints the other side as evil, the purpose of which is to galvanize support amongst your people.

A central feature of this issue is the Iranian assessment of the historical role of Western Powers in the Middle East. To establish their case for the west as evil the Iranians point to what may be considered a central tenet of the historical interpretation. Western powers are seen as brigands, whose sole purpose being to raid the mineral reserves of Middle Eastern countries. These mineral reserves are seen as their patrimony, the blessing they have received for being the children of God. Indeed it is not without good cause that this view is adopted as the West has frequently inserted itself in the politics of the Middle East, often with disastrous consequences. The establishment of many Middle Eastern governments can be attributed to Western meddling in the politics of those countries.

It is though the American action that the Shah of Iran maintained his hold on political power until he was deposed. Thus the Iranian revolution marked not only the removal of the shah but also the repudiation of American policies. During the Iran Iraq war America supported Iraq and the Saddam Hussein regime against Iran. Iranian leaders identify these historical actions as the Americans acting in the vein of previous western powers. Seeking to control the destiny of Iran, with a view to shield their economic interests and secure access to mineral reserves. The economic interest in Iran is sizable "Iran's gas reserves are second in the world, and its significant oil resources make it a pivotal player in energy" (Wright & Bakhash 1997 p.125). America is seen as meddling robbers, seeking only its national interests and having no concern for the interests of the people of Iran.

The creation of the mythology is an important aspect of this analysis. Both sides have created a myth surrounding the other, while this has some basis in the historical antecedents it is wrapped in the discourse of religion. For Iran, America is considered to be the an outside occupy force that seeks not only to impose its will on another people but to destroy a way of life that has been in existence for thousands of years. The Iranian people refuse to be subjugated and destroyed by what is considered a neocolonial force. Resistance then becomes an act not only of defiance but also assumes moral proportions as it is seen as fulfilling the will of Allah. The framing of the conflict as resistance to evil allows the resistance to appeal to religious fervor. This is not unique to the Iranians; America has also embarked on a platform of myth creation. "For the United States the resistance forces of the Middle East took on a demonic form-that of the "crazy outlaw" nations and terrorist groups." (Beeman 2005, p.6)

In addition to the way they saw the "other" was the manner in which they saw themselves and their action. The creation of correctness of their action complemented the myth of the evil inherent in the action of the other state. The actions that they engage in are considered as not simply retaliation but also as deserved retaliation. The success of these actions, like the revolution of 1978 was demonstrable evidence that this Western behemoth could be brought to heel. This allowed them to expand their ideology as liberators not only of their own people but also of all peoples who are victims of the West.

Both nations employ highly colorful and inflammatory language as part of the demonization strategy. Political leaders and religious leaders employ motifs out of the religious discourse designed to convey the message that each group is inherently evil. The use of the term the "Great Satan" (Wright & Bakhash 1997 p.129) by Iranian leaders employs the traditional Christian figure of Satan who functions as the full embodiment of all that is evil in the world. Satan in Christian literature is considered to be responsible for illness, destruction and other disasters. Satan is also an adversary of God he is the exact opposite of what God is. When the phrase is employed the intent is to deliberately link American action and policy with evil. America then becomes the most potent manifestation of evil.

The United States is equally culpable in this regard with its frequent reference to Iran as an "outlaw," "rogue state" or as "supporters of terrorism" (Wright & Bakhash 1997 p.12). This rhetoric was significantly ratcheted up by George W. Bush with his identification of Iran as a member of the "Axis of Evil." These statements are designed to challenge the legitimacy of the Iranian government and cast them as an administration whose singular purpose it to create global unrest. There is also a determined effort to present Iran as a supporter of terrorism. Simultaneously the U.S. presents itself as the proponents of a free world and the guardian of individual freedoms and rights. In fighting against these groups they are fighting for the oppressed and subjugated. This is a good fight since it is believed that God is a God who is in support of the American cause.