Ahmadinejad Critiques 'Western Theory of Development' as Aimed at Liberal Democracy...

MEMRI.org - Special Dispatch No. 2535 ^ | September 15, 2009 | n/a

[Cindy]

Special Dispatch - No. 2535 September 15, 2009

Ahmadinejad Critiques 'Western Theory of Development' as Aimed at Liberal Democracy, Free Market Economy, and Moral Relativism – And Proposes Iranian Alternative Based on 'Divine and Idealistic Values,' 'Society of Ali and the Mahdi'

In a September 10, 2009 speech to university professors, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad critiqued "the West's theory of development," which he said was aimed at "the dominance of liberal democracy, the establishment of a free market economy, the favoring of moral relativism, and the non-interference of moral values in social relations." He argued that this theory had reached a dead end, and that it was Iran's role to give the world an alternative model for advancement - one based on "divine and idealistic values rather than material ones," and on the society of Ali ibn Abi Talib and the Mahdi.

At a September 8, 2009 farewell ceremony for outgoing Iranian Intelligence Minister Mohsen Ejei,Ahmadinejad said that the mission of Iran’s Islamic regime was to raise the banner of Mahdism (i.e. the message of the Mahdi's imminent arrival) throughout the world.

Following are excerpts from an English translation of his September 10 speech, as published by Press TV.

[Cindy]

SNIPPET from the link in post no. 1:

""Today the world [is] disappointed with the dominance of the [Western] theory of development, and has reached a dead end. Today our mission is not limited to the internal affairs of [our] country; it is a worldwide mission to open a way for global human society to escape from this disappointing situation.""

[Cindy]

A Look at Iran
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

[Da Coyote]

Go ahead, hairball. Set up a Muslim economy. At least we can compete against that - if we get rid of the Obamaloon and our unions.

[Rick_Michael]

I’m not in favor of moral relativism, but I’m certaintly not in favor of wholesale government morality. As I see it, the basis of our moral relativism lies in specific forms of media and that can change.

I definitely don’t want his advice and I wonder why we give him such platforms....?

[Cindy]

I posted this Mahdi rant for archival purposes.

[JoeFromSidney]

Actually most of the "theories of development" put forth in the West in the last 50 years (Walt Rostow, etc.) were bad ideas and I wouldn't blame any developing country for ignoring them. Adam Smith had the only one that works.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Quite an impressive compilation you have, Cindy. Thanks.

[Cindy]

Thank you Mind-Numbed Robot.

Ahmadinejad, his hidden Mahdi, the mad Mullahs and the “peaceful nuclear program” provide a wealth of reading material.

[Cindy]

This is just propaganda Joe.

Ahmadinejad is not the least bit interested in “Western Theory of Development.”

This irritating little twerp is interested in spreading his brand of Islam to everyone, wiping the Jews off the map, and oh, by the way, he likes his “peaceful nuclear program.”

[The Comedian]

the message of the Mahdi's imminent arrival

"Imminent arrival" hell, we've got him squatting in our White House right now!

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

While scanning the material you gathered I was struck by how the present situation with Iran is almost identical to Iraq when we decided to take out Saddam. The only difference I see is Iraq was violating the cease fire agreement it made to save Saddam’s hide after he was ejected from Kuwait.

Otherwise:

Iran is developing WMD, supporting terrorist in the ME, expanding its influence to South America, and is generally a terrorist state itself.

There seems to be all the justification we need to take out the Iranian regime. However, there is a big difference in our leadership.

[Cindy]

“However, there is a big difference in our leadership.”

Yep.