Consensus-Building in the Leadership Style of Imam Khomeini

The Conceptual Model of Consensus-Building in the Leadership Style of Imam Khomeini

Consensus-Building in Political Thought and Practice of Imam Khomeini

 

In order to answer the question “how does the consensus-building occur in the political thought and practice of Imam Khomeini?” one needs to study his political thought and practices. The views and life of Imam Khomeini as the founder and leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran have great significance. With his words and behaviour, he played an important role in building consensus throughout the critical years after the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

 

The Components of Consensus-Building in Imam Khomeini’s Political Thought

 

Based on a conceptual framework, some important methods of consensus-building are consultation, dialogue and equal participation. By examining the statements of Imam Khomeini, one can understand the importance of these methods in his political thought.

 

Consultation and its Role in Consensus-Building in Imam Khomeini’s Political Thought

 

In addition to emphasizing the necessity of consultation, Imam Khomeini, on several occasions, advised the officials to employ and use consultation in decision-making and matters related to the country’s affairs describing it as a key to success. This can be regarded as the result of following the teachings of Islam. In particular, in his advice to the parliament and the Expediency Council, Imam Khomeini considered consultation as the main work of the parliament. The core principle in Imam Khomeini’s discourse that drives disagreement and discord towards integrity and unity, is consultation. Because according to the divine teachings, the affairs of the Islamic society should be based on consultation.

 

In Imam Khomeini’s view, one of the characteristics of a good government is to consult with the people regarding the country’s affairs, and a government that is far from the consultation will be labelled as tyrannical. In such a government, the consensus has no meaning and its legitimacy will be questioned as well. As mentioned, consensus does not mean the elimination of disagreements; Imam Khomeini, instead of ignoring the different opinions, tried to manage disputes through consultation. That is why, Imam Khomeini, in his speeches, on the one hand, used to highlight the significance of reaching a mutual understanding through consultation, and on the other hand paid special attention to preserving the difference of opinions. In his view, unity and understanding, especially among scholars, constitute the most vital aspect of social reform, and this can be achieved through the principle of consultation. Moreover, overcoming human desires and egos will cause the consultation to bring about an understanding which is accompanied by maintaining the difference of opinions.

 

It can also be seen from the statements of Imam Khomeini that the consultation in making decisions, acting according to the wish of the majority, and reaching a consensus are of great importance. Therefore, he tried to establish and preserve a culture of consultation so that mutual understanding and consensus will be achieved.

 

Despite believing in the responsibility of Wali al-Faqih (the Guardian Jurist) regarding the administrational affairs of the country, Imam Khomeini did not disregard the position of the experts in this field. It can be said that he considered making consultation in various political and social matters as necessary, because it causes reaching a consensus, and brings about the stability and cohesion of the society.

 

Dialogue, Reasoning and Conflict of Opinions and Their Roles in Consensus-Building in Imam Khomeini’s Political Thought

 

Given Imam Khomeini’s view, one may argue that in addition to paying attention to the dialogue, he also advised officials to have dialogue in order to reach a mutual understanding and empathy. Also, by doing so, he sought to bring different groups closer to each other and establish a constructive dialogue in the context of social interaction and solidarity. Furthermore, he always insisted on free presentation of different and opposing jurisprudential views because humans have various and different views and thoughts and hence people should become united in pursuing a common goal and put aside differences.

 

Respecting the opinions of elites from any nation is one of the features of Imam Khomeini’s view. Sincere dialogues, exchanging views with different and opposing currents, are among the methods Imam Khomeini employed in his political thought to avoid absolute selfishness and intolerance. Emphasizing the freedom of speech and being open to criticism through dialogue, Imam Khomeini defined healthy and constructive dialogue and considered it necessary, useful and a cause of growth and excellence.

 

These statements indicate the importance of constructive dialogue, by which a consensus will be reached, in his political thought. Imam Khomeini described dialogue as a means of achieving an understanding and consensus. According to him, the clash of opinions and thoughts during the conversation would cause it to result in better and more profound outcomes, more mutual understanding and therefore more acceptance.

 

Therefore, unity will prevail in society and in the meantime, acting upon the decision resulting from the consensus will be guaranteed. By studying Imam Khomeini’s speeches, one can understand the significance and position of dialogue in his view. He considered dialogue as a means of reaching understanding, consensus and unity.

 

Free and Equal Participation (Elections) and Its Role in Consensus-Building in Imam Khomeini’s Political Thought

 

Imam Khomeini’s numerous statements regarding the people’s vote show the importance of people’s political participation in his political thought. It should be said that Imam Khomeini addressed the issue of elections by using jurisprudential terminologies. Also, warning about disregarding the will of the nation he designated the government to act according to it.

 

For Imam Khomeini, holding the election is an Islamic principle and the will of the nation governs all affairs of the country. Furthermore, he introduced this phenomenon as one of the features of Islam. Imam Khomeini advised rulers to respect public opinion. In addition to advising the officials to take the will of the nation into account, he encouraged people to participate in the elections.

 

In his view, participation is of such importance that he considers it vital to preserving Islam and the Islamic system. Furthermore, the participants are not limited to a particular group, faction, class, or even a religious majority. That is how he provided the ground for reaching a consensus. 

 

This statement indicates the significance of election in Imam Khomeini’s view: “the criterion is the people’s vote.” Thus, the two important features of the ideal government in his view are reliance on the people’s vote and following the Islamic laws. This shows that the people’s vote and consequently the consensus would cause the stability and continuity of the government.

 

In his speeches, Imam Khomeini pointed to the importance of the participation of the people and their consensus in the establishment of the Islamic Republic while considering this participation as a power on which the system relies. In Imam Khomeini’s thought, participation as the same as consultation is recognized as an Islamic principle. Moreover, it is not limited to a specific group and stratum; rather, it includes all groups, factions, classes and minorities. Given his advice and emphases in this field, it can be understood that he sought to build a general consensus in society at various levels.

 

Examples of Consensus-Building in the Practical Life of Imam Khomeini

 

Consensus-Building in Political Affairs

 

The formation of the Council of the Islamic Revolution is one of the first attempts of Imam Khomeini for building consensus through consultation. He assigned those with religious as well as national-religious moderate affiliations to the Council. Choosing Mr. Bazargan as prime minister also shows the significance of consultation in consensus-building for Imam Khomeini. He acknowledged the will and opinion of most members of the Council.

 

One of the duties of the Provisional Government was establishing the Constituent Assembly to draft and approve the constitution. “But the members of the Council of the Islamic Revolution proposed establishing a more limited parliament”; Finally, Imam Khomeini approved what the majority agreed on. Also, he agreed with the establishment of the Islamic Republican Party only because of the insistence of his companions. It can be argued that he accepted and supported advisory opinions since they contributed to reaching a consensus.

 

Consensus-building is understood as one of the important principles in his decisions. Imam Khomeini also considered the reports published by different departments as the main reasons for accepting the United Nations Resolution. He consulted with important personalities of the country in this regard and took the necessary measures to prevent the rise of disputes.

 

Consensus-Building in Other Affairs

 

After the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini strongly supported the land reform program. The permissions he granted to the parliament provoked reactions thereby halting the implementation of some articles of the program. In addition, the Council of the Islamic Revolution was established by the order of Imam Khomeini. He issued this decree while taking into account the will and religious opinion of the Muslim nation on the one hand, and the advice and views of elites and experts on the other.

 

After recapturing the city of Khorramshahr, Imam Khomeini called for ending the war whereas the officials believed that it should be continued; in the end, he accepted the opinion of the officials and the demands of the fighters. Also, Imam Khomeini did not agree that Iranian fighters enter the Iraq territory; nonetheless, he accepted the opinion of experts in this regard with some conditions and considerations.

 

The Examples of Dialogue and Reasoning and Their Roles in Consensus-Building in the Practical Life of Imam Khomeini

 

The numerous speeches of Imam Khomeini on different occasions can be seen as a kind of dialogue that seeks to build a consensus. The followings are some examples of his practical life.

 

Consensus-Building in Political Affairs

 

Imam Khomeini encouraged people to participate in the constitutional referendum indicating that this is based on the views of Islamic scholars and experts.

 

Also, in the case of the dispute raised between Bani Sadr and the Islamic Republican Party, Imam Khomeini, while advising them to put aside the differences, sought to resolve the tensions rather than support a certain party. When the Munafiqin Organization (The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran) wanted to meet with him to explain their positions, Imam Khomeini accepted their request so that both sides may reach a mutual understanding. In several speeches, he tried to create a sense of mutual understanding and cooperation with this Organization. His approach to regional unrest and the creation of consensus is significant. Following a gathering of some Sunni Baluchis in Zahedan, he commissioned Ayatollah Khamenei to go to that city and talk with people. Eventually, Sunni religious leaders boycotted acting against the system. Following the tensions in Sanandaj, Imam Khomeini sent a delegation to Kurdistan and hence a ceasefire was finally established.

 

The Democratic Party met with Imam Khomeini and asked him to maintain the unity of the word.

 

Since the announcement of the adoption of the United Nations Resolution raised concerns among the fighters and the people, Imam Khomeini, in a message, illustrated the reason for his decision thereby giving them a sense of assurance. Furthermore, after Imam Khomeini withdrew his confidence in Ayatollah Montazeri, who was supposed to be the next leader, the officials and political forces expressed an ambiguous reaction to this decision. Therefore, addressing the officials in a letter, Imam Khomeini elaborated on the issue. As a mobilizing leader, he sought to build consensus among the fighters and armed forces by delivering speeches and exchanging ideas at different and sensitive stages of the Iran-Iraq War. According to him, the unity of different strata is the cause of victory; Therefore, with his statements, he tried to bring unity among the military forces and those who supported them.

 

Examples of Free and Equal Participation (Elections) and its Role in Consensus-Building in the Practical Life of Imam Khomeini

 

Imam Khomeini placed great emphasis on elections and considered it an Islamic principle. Therefore, from the very beginning of the victory of the Islamic Revolution, he used to underline the necessity of holding elections. 

 

Consensus-Building in Political Affairs

 

The first election after the victory of the Islamic Revolution was a referendum that was held on the political system of the country. Despite announcing that he would vote for the Islamic Republic and calling people to do so, Imam Khomeini stated: “Those who think differently should be able to express their opposition and vote freely.”

 

Likewise, regarding the issue of holding the constitutional referendum he emphasized:

“On the day of the election, I will vote in favour, and... I ask people from all walks of life to vote in favour as well.”

 

Generally, eight types of “elections” have been held in the Islamic Republic. This indicates the diversity and multiplicity of elections in the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran. From the beginning, Imam Khomeini placed great emphasis on holding various elections. That is why he assigned to the Provisional Government four responsibilities of which was holding elections. 

 

Reference: Pazhuheshnameh-ye Enqelab-e Eslami [A Quarterly Academic-Research Journal on Islamic Revolution]. Volume 9, number 32, Fall 2019, Pages 113-136.

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