Nation: Khomeinism

Merging church and state

"Our nation, in the process of its revolutionary development, cleansed itself of the filth of despotism and shed off an alien culture and mode of thought." So says the remarkable 175-article constitution that the Iranians approved last week by a claimed margin of more than 99%. Instead of any alien mode of thought, the new constitution gives all power to a Faqih, or supreme religious figure—that is, Khomeini. This Faqih is supposed to be "respected by the majority of the people as their undisputed leader," but there is no...