Political Psychology of King Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s Character: His Understanding of Iranian People’s Revolutionary Power and Movement

This paper intends to study King Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s political character with a psychological approach during his 37 years of reign in Iran to explore his understanding of personal personality and his modernist plans in leading the Iranian nation toward what he called the “great era of civilization” in comparison with his real personality and public reaction against it. With an eye on Karen Horney’s theory, we will review the Shah’s political character from his childhood to various periods during his reign to reflect on how he moved from disease to please and populism to elitism and authoritarianism to clarify his understanding of the realities and their feedbacks in the society. The Shah of Iran had a dual personality. Considering a Divine mission for himself in leading the nation toward progress, denouncing the opponents as obstacles to salvation, and using national myths and legends and religious traditions to charismatize his reign and character are among the elements within his personality for review and criticism.