ABSTRACT
This chapter is essentially a discussion on the nature of, and the need for, political parties in Iran. So far the ruling clergy has resisted the establishment of a political platform for debate and rational discourse whereby government may be led to choose or adopt a policy in tune with public opinion. They believe that the system established by President Kohmeini based on the theory of 'velayat-e faqih’ (supreme revolutionary jurisprudence) is far superior to existing modern political systems because the power comes from God, not people.
