1/Lots of disinfo regarding topics of economics, sanctions & #IranProtests.

What is dismissed/downplayed:

Much of the economic problems faced by #Iran has been due to 40yrs of mismanagement, systemic corruption, regime foreign policy, & placing ideology over dev. of Iran.

2/First off: let’s be very clear, sanctions have harmed the Iranian economy but that is only one factor; you cannot dismiss/undervalue regime’s role & countless other state factors that have brought Iran to this political & economic point. Factors start from ‘79.

3/The basics: law & legal institutions provide essential foundations that promote/guide a functioning market.

A proper legal system allows for establishing of clear & coherent rules for planning, policing & restraining arbitrary/oppressive gov’t actions.

4/Structure of the regime does not allow for independent legal institutions to ensure any of the above. Judicial system & property rights are weak. Stiglitz: legal institutions useful in providing the necessary infrastructure for markets, help regulate during times of stagnation.

5/Problems to highlight: unemployment consistently in 11-13%, restrictive labor regulations & participation. Youth & women make up 30%+ of unemployed. Iran ranks 142/149 in 2018 WEF gender gap report. Reducing gender inequalities=increases talent pool, productivity, innovation...

6/Based on 2019 WEF Global Competitiveness report, #Iran ranks 99/141. Sources including Khoshnood, Raghfar, & UN FAO suggest: 30% of pop. lived in absolute poverty from 1984-2012. Poverty increased to 40% in 2013, 2015. Regime stats on eco & poverty often misleading/inaccurate.

7/Oil revenues dominate eco & gov’t revenues; regime has failed to diversify eco & make it stable in last 40yrs. As a result, regime fails to handle volatility in terms of revenue & market shocks, including sanctions. Also barrier to overall reform = regime is a rentier state.

8/Regime has ineffective checks & balances, no transparency, anti-private sector as state-owned & semi state-owned companies hold monopolies & essentially reign unchecked. Transparency int. views corruption very high in Iran, ranking 138/180, score of 28/100. Basel AML, high risk

9/Worth noting: IRGC incompetence in state eco, no-bid contracts resulting in wasted billions, corruption, inefficiency. Ex) North Tehran highway.

Also: banking system dominated by regime & extremely corrupt, lacks proper regulation/transparency. Lending often based on nepotism.

10/ Effective legal system, good governance, & rule of law counteract barriers to dev. None are present under regime.

Sen: for eco growth to occur, needs to be protection of human rights; increase social welfare & protect civil/political rights & promote human capabilities.

11/Misleading to dismiss regime’s role in eco: incompetence & incoherent eco dev plans, increase of income inequality, IRGC/state domination of eco, billions+ smuggled out by regime, & billions in region to promote terrorism/foreign policy/ideology - all to detriment of Iranians.