ABSTRACT
Mohammad Khatami's presidency of Iran's Islamic Republic started with a deafening roar and ended in an unceremonious whisper. Chances are that his crisis-ridden eight-year tenure will be more favorably viewed in the future than is now the case with his disillusioned early supporters. The irony is that most of his major achievements were in the domestic economic field where he was least versed, initially least concerned, and even less adequately equipped to cope with. By contrast, his government's setbacks and failures were mostly in the internal political and social sphere that was the focus of his attention, and the core of his ideological value system. Despite some notable economic achievements, Khatami's presidency will in all likelihood always be remembered for its disappointing domestic socio-political record. The irony of all ironies, however, is that Khatami-a well meaning, optimistic, and hopeful man of God-finished his earthly mission by dashing all hopes for salvation among the disillusioned post-revolution generation.
