ABSTRACT
In the 1960s and 1970s, the monarchy initiated a crash modernization program with far-reaching socioeconomic and political ramifications. Iran today even has competitive elections, something that was never permitted under the monarchy. Although prostitution is strictly forbidden under the theocratic regime, the profession is experiencing a renaissance in Iran, as increasing numbers of destitute women become prostitutes in order to make ends meet. Among Iran's social groups, the villagers have undoubtedly benefited the most from the reign of politicized clerics. Compounding the economic plight of the professional middle class, starting in 1975 and gradually accelerating up to 1977, the world demand for oil began to contract, resulting in diminished revenues to the Iranian government. However bad the previous regime might have been, businessmen operating in Iran today, whose powerlessness vis-a-vis the state has arguably increased, look back wistfully even to the post-Rastakhiz Pahlavi period.
