ΚΕΝΤΡΟ ΜΕΣΟΓΕΙΑΚΩΝ, ΜΕΣΑΝΑΤΟΛΙΚΩΝ & ΙΣΛΑΜΙΚΩΝ ΣΠΟΥΔΩΝ

Large scale acquisitions of land in developing countries by multinational or foreign governments have attracted widespread attention in the global media and have sparked a dynamic debate. On the one hand is the argument that agriculture in developing countries especially in Africa crucially needs investment and that the sector has been neglected by peasants, politicians and businesses alike. On the other hand there are arguments against the process that see it as neo-colonial policy where food is being transported from poor countries, where a large per cent of the population is malnourished, to rich nations. The purpose of this brief report is to present the main arguments of both sides, and argue that a more sustainable approach is needed.

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has frequently remarked that Iran is among the most democratic countries, with open and fair elections since its inception thirty-four years ago. The claim that Iran is a vibrant democracy is based on the fact that Iranians have gone to the ballot box on multiple occasions, voting for presidents, parliamentarians and city council members. The presidential election of June 14th with nearly 73% of the electorate participating is a case in point. However, what makes the Iranian elections non-democratic is the vetting of candidates by the Council of Guardians, consisting of twelve members, six of whom are clerics appointed by the Supreme Leader while the other six are jurists selected by the Parliament.[1] All are conservatives and all profess their loyalty and allegiance to the Supreme Leader.