An Examination of Political Scandals in Iran’s Political System and Their Impact on National Security, with Strategies to Counter the Politics of Scandal in the Country
In the age of information and communication, political practices are profoundly influenced by the exposure of truths and ethical misconduct. “The politics of scandal” represents a growing trend in which political and social scandals become powerful tools in shaping public opinion. This phenomenon often emerges through revelations and evidence of misconduct or mismanagement and can rapidly lead to crises of trust and legitimacy within governments.
The Meaning of Scandal and the Concept of the Politics of Scandal
A political scandal arises from moral or legal violations that are concealed, exposed, and condemned publicly. With mass media and the internet, scandals have become key tools in political competition. In media politics, personal image outweighs policy, and exposing rivals’ misconduct has become a common strategy in modern democracies.
Causes of the Spread of the Politics of Scandal in Iran
This phenomenon is expanding in democracies worldwide, driven primarily by media development. In Iran, additional factors contribute to its growth, reflecting the complexity of scandal politics:
1. Normative and Value-Based Nature of the Political System
Scandals arise when social norms are violated. In Iran, ideals like honesty and modesty are highly valued but often contradicted in practice. Corruption, inefficiency, inequality, and repeated breaches of ethical standards make political scandals highly visible.
2. Expansion of New Media
The rise of the internet, social media, and smartphones has increased the visibility of politicians’ private and public actions. These platforms also weaken traditional verification mechanisms, spreading misinformation and enhancing citizen activism.
3. Decline of Discursive Politics
With reduced capacity of political discourse to mobilize the public, politicians increasingly rely on scandal politics to gain and maintain power, rather than focusing on policy or program effectiveness.
4. Exploitation of Information Asymmetry
Intelligence and security agencies may exploit information gaps to pursue their objectives, as seen in historical examples globally. In Iran, internal competition among security institutions has also contributed to political scandal dynamics.
Implications of the Politics of Scandal for National Security
In Iran, scandal politics erodes public trust, undermines legitimacy, and fosters populism, affecting the whole political system.
The Need to Address Scandal Politics and Preventive Measures
Scandal politics erodes trust and harms the political system. Prevention requires transparent handling, adapting to media changes, and awareness of its systemic consequences.
This study is conducted at Research institute of Strategic Studies by Mojtaba Gholipour in 2021.
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