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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Iran
Index
The postrevolutionary upper classes consisted of some of the
same elements as the old elite, such as large landowners,
industrialists, financiers, and large-scale merchants. They
remained part of the upper class by virtue of having stayed in Iran
and having retained a considerable part of their wealth. For the
most part, however, such persons no longer had any political
influence, and in the future the absence of such influence could
impede the acquisition of new wealth. The element of the upper
classes with greatest political influence was a new group, the
senior clergy. Wealth was apparently no longer an attribute of
authority, as the example of Khomeini demonstrated. Religious
expertise and piety became the major criteria for belonging to the
new political elite. Thus, key government administrators held their
positions because of their perceived commitment to Shia Islam. They
were part of the new political elite, although not members of the
old social elite.
Data as of December 1987
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