Case Study: Iran (1953)
Overview
In 1953, the United States and the United Kingdom orchestrated a coup that removed Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mosaddegh, after he nationalized Iran’s oil industry. The coup strengthened the authority of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
What Happened
The Shah ruled with increasing authoritarianism for more than two decades, relying heavily on security forces and suppressing political dissent. Public resentment toward foreign interference and domestic repression grew steadily.
Democratic Outcomes
The coup severely damaged Iran’s democratic institutions and political trust. These grievances contributed directly to the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which replaced the monarchy with a theocratic regime and fundamentally altered Iran’s relationship with the United States and the global order.
Key Lesson
Iran illustrates how external interference in democratic processes can produce long-term political blowback. Undermining local political agency can destabilize a country’s trajectory for generations.