Sunday, January 12, 2025 | 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Pacific
Zoom Registration:
https://ucla.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NsgynB3eTcC5gMAFoEixAQ
Over the past few decades, democratic movements in many countries have successfully overthrown autocratic regimes and established democratic governments. In some cases, these transformations occurred suddenly, driven by dramatic mass uprisings and nonviolent civil resistance, as seen in the Philippines in 1986, Czechoslovakia in 1989, Serbia in 2000, and Tunisia in 2011. In other instances, such as Portugal and Romania, the initial change was marked by sudden and violent revolutions, followed by a more gradual and peaceful transition to stable democracy. However, in most cases, democratic change has been achieved through a more gradual and incremental process, as exemplified by Argentina, Brazil, South Korea, Taiwan, Hungary, Chile, Croatia, Uruguay, Ghana, Guyana, Kenya, and others. While it is impossible to predict with certainty when and how democracy will emerge in Iran, the experiences of other nations offer valuable lessons. Additionally, Iran’s unique structural and historical characteristics play a crucial role in understanding its potential pathways. This talk will explore these issues, providing a comparative analysis of the possible trajectories for Iran, their defining characteristics, and the challenges they may present.
About the Speaker
Hadi Zamani is an economics PhD graduate from the University of London and has worked for more than thirty years in private and public sector institutions in the United Kingdom. He has participated in numerous international projects in Western and Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America for private companies, governments of the concerned countries, The European Union, the development banks of Europe, Asia and Latin America, and the World Bank. In addition to teaching at the universities of London and Glasgow, his work experience includes the positions of economic advisor at “Marsh McLennan” and “Halcrow”, management of two investment funds in the UK, and economic advisor at the British Ministry of Transport (DfT). In the case of Iran, Hadi’s interest lies in the areas of political economy and economic development. He has published several books and articles in this field in Persian, including Democracy and Sustainable Economic Development; The Effectiveness of Economic Sanctions; Economic Development and National Security; Opportunities and Challenges of Globalization; Obstacles to the Formation of Modern State and Economic Development in Iran; and The Curse of Oil. Hadi’s books, articles, and interviews in Persian are available on his website “www.hadizamani.com” and his social media pages.