The Mullahs overplayed their hand. They are religious leaders but they don't appear to have much understanding of political realities. Maybe Ahmadinejad did win (even though I doubt it), but certainly not by the margins reported. While I wish no deaths or injuries to the Iranian public (thinking specifically of young Iranians who will be at the forefront of the opposition), my hopeful (and probably naive) mind thinks back to the late '80s and early '90s in Eastern Europe.
This all reinforces a pet theory of mine: true democracy is evolutionary. When stomachs are full and personal safety is assured (see Maslow's Hierarchy), people want a say in how their lives are managed by their governments and democracy, in fits and starts, erupts. This is probably not yet true in rural Iran, but seems to be in Tehran and other cities. We might be witnessing the start of something remarkable.
Update: All you need to know about the Iranian elections is here.
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