In the view of Imam Khomeini , the people are not merely the recipients of political decisions; their presence and support are themselves part of the power needed to implement those decisions.
No plan, even if technically sound and well-founded, can achieve the desired outcome without social capital and public solidarity.
This issue is especially important for Iran today: addressing social problems requires trust, participation, and a sense among the people that they have a meaningful role to play.
The gap between society and decision-makers can itself become one of the main obstacles to solving problems.
“There is no knot that can be untied in the face of the inertia of social stagnation and negative resistance. If the people are not in agreement with a government decision, under no circumstances can that decision reach its intended outcome. But if everyone is united and supportive, there is no knot that cannot be untied.”
Adapted from remarks by Ayatollah Seyyed Hassan Khomeini at the 5th National “Etefagh” Festival.