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Iran
The Upper Classes
The postrevolutionary upper classes consisted of some of the
same elements as the old elite, such as large landowners, industrialists,
financiers, and large-scale merchants. They remained part of the
upper class by virtue of having stayed in Iran and having retained
a considerable part of their wealth. For the most part, however,
such persons no longer had any political influence, and in the
future the absence of such influence could impede the acquisition
of new wealth. The element of the upper classes with greatest
political influence was a new group, the senior clergy. Wealth
was apparently no longer an attribute of authority, as the example
of Khomeini demonstrated. Religious expertise and piety became
the major criteria for belonging to the new political elite. Thus,
key government administrators held their positions because of
their perceived commitment to Shia Islam. They were part of the
new political elite, although not members of the old social elite.
Data as of December 1987
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