The System of Domination
The System of Domination
Bibliographic Information:
- Main Entry: Nokonam, Mohammad Reza (b. 1327)
- Title and Author: The System of Domination / Mohammad Reza Nokonam
- Publisher: Islamshahr: Sobh Farda Publications, 1393 (2014)
- Physical Description: 72 pages
- ISBN: 978-600-7347-56-0
- Cataloging in Publication (CIP): Available
- Note: Second Edition.
- Additional Note: The book titled The System of Domination was first registered with CIP by Zohur Shafaq Publications in 1385 (2006).
- Alternate Title: The System of Domination
- Subject: American Colonialism
- Subject: United States—Politics and Government—21st Century
- Library of Congress Classification: JV527/N8N6 1393
- Dewey Decimal Classification: 325.373
- National Bibliography Number: 3672794
Introduction
The presentation of necessary plans and strategies to confront the system of domination and global colonialism, of which the complete symbol can be found in the face of the United States, has preoccupied the minds of free thinkers worldwide.
Today, the United States, with its New World Order doctrine, perceives itself as the sole claimant and undisputed leader of the world, and is willing to pay a heavy price to attain and maintain this position.
The events of September 11th focused the attention of political analysts, with the U.S. portraying itself as a victim of terrorism. Under the pretext of combating terrorism globally, it deployed its military forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, and is now threatening countries like North Korea, Syria, and Iran with military attacks. This text, in the form of an analysis and examination of this process, offers solutions to confront the system of domination, particularly that of the United States.
This work, which consists of seven articles, reveals the various and different faces of the system of domination, illustrating how economic and cultural dominance, as well as cultural, economic, and military aggression by imperial powers, operate. It emphasizes the necessity of “unveiling” in the field of cultural invasion. Articles four and five identify the characteristics of open and closed societies, addressing the dangers faced by open societies, and consider sincerity and need as the criteria for distinguishing between open and closed societies. Article six delves into the root causes of the tyranny of authoritarian rulers and predicts the future of the current global order. The final article proposes plans for the reconstruction of holy sites in Iraq.
The Sacred War of the United States
In response to declarations made by some American scholars regarding the concept of a “sacred war,” a general statement is presented to provide clarity on the original statement, its varied purposes, and a brief critique.
In the present world, American policymakers, with significant resources and massive investments, have failed in their pursuit of peace, human rights, and democracy. They have lost control over the regions they once exploited and now view war as their only remaining tool to preserve their future position.
The tragedy of September 11th drew the attention of political analysts, and the U.S., claiming to be a victim of terrorism, began its military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, later threatening other nations. This article examines this process and presents strategies to confront the system of domination, particularly that of the U.S.
Conclusion on the U.S. System of Domination
American leaders, with their vast resources, have used the United Nations and veto power to maintain dominance, but this tactic is losing its effectiveness. Countries, even small or impoverished ones, are increasingly opposing U.S. policies. As nations awaken to the need for sovereignty, opposition to U.S. dominance grows, rendering the once formidable power of veto less influential in maintaining American interests.
The U.S. aims to invest heavily in regions like Asia and the Third World to stabilize its position globally and play a more prominent role in the future. However, as political, military, and economic power are interwoven, the U.S. faces challenges in maintaining its hegemony, as it now attempts to justify its actions through “humanitarian wars,” all while disregarding the human costs incurred by its foreign policies.
This work aims to deconstruct the ideological facade of American policies, examining how the country manipulates global narratives for its geopolitical gains while ignoring the suffering it causes worldwide.
Countering America’s Domination
The Islamic system must, in response to such a hypocritical and bloodthirsty superpower, focus on creating the necessary conditions for its own growth on the global stage. These include:
- The Islamic Revolution in Iran, the central force of global change and the primary enemy of American imperialism, must engage in strong and strategic efforts in scientific, technological, ideological, cultural, and political fields, gradually establishing connections with the entire Islamic world, non-aligned countries, and ultimately with Europe and free nations, even if these efforts develop incrementally.
- The dissemination of scientific, spiritual, and socio-political views rooted in Shia ideology should be prioritized in global interactions, through individual, public, and institutional networks, including parliaments and governments.
On the Use of Scientific and Ideological Advertising through Various Artistic Forms
- The system must strive to employ all forms of scientific and ideological advertising in visual and artistic formats such as film, writing, painting, music, and other captivating artistic tools, in a manner consistent with Islamic principles, across widespread media platforms including satellite channels, the internet, and other communication mediums available in the modern world.
- New initiatives should be pursued, focusing on the education of industrial economics within the country, empowering its people to freely and voluntarily enter into the global economic and industrial sectors.
Systematisation of the Country’s Executive Affairs
The realization of all these goals depends on the systematic and proper training of the country’s executive systems, including religious institutions and universities. A program should be developed for new activities and the purification of culture at the national level, as well as within religious institutions and universities. Furthermore, the Islamic system should actively work towards eradicating poverty, enhancing people’s emotional and ideological connection to religion, and revitalizing the national economy for the benefit of all, particularly addressing the problems of the youth.
Avoiding unnecessary government expenditures, misappropriated funds, and promoting extravagance and tyranny in the country can be the most effective tool for implementing these goals. The belligerent and reckless actions of American politicians must be countered with wise and strategic plans, and ultimately, all available military or unexpected means of confrontation with the U.S. should not be overlooked. It is essential to remain fully prepared to neutralize any form of aggression from them.
The System of Domination and Colonialism
In the contemporary world, the global economy is built upon the exploitation of nations. Anyone or any group that possesses more resources, wealth, and power can seize control of society’s pulse, manipulating people to accept their demands and policies, as their lives depend on the unconditional compliance with the rules set by this powerful group. If they seek to deviate from these rules or pursue an alternative path, life becomes increasingly difficult or impossible for them. They must conform to the existing political order for the sake of their survival.
Thus, in today’s world, most of the resources, money, and wealth are controlled by a few, who extract maximum profit with minimal effort, while the rest of the population serves as their workers and protectors. The system is designed so that everyone is made to accept their current state of affairs, knowing that if they do not, they will lose even their current means of survival.
Today, bankers and capitalists, working together, have subjected the global population to this system, creating a scenario where individuals cannot manage their daily lives without loans, debts, or instalments. Banks buy houses or goods for individuals or groups in return for long-term or short-term loans, and in reality, they engage in partnerships without assuming any of the responsibilities or risks involved. Their primary interest is their own profit. Meanwhile, the borrower, content with their newly acquired house or business, is left with a dilapidated property by the time the loan is repaid, only to repeat the process. On a larger scale, the heirs of these individuals continue the cycle. This is how capital speaks first and holds the superior position, while workers and the general public merely obey.
The Gambling and Exploitative Nature of the Current System
The current global system can be compared to gamblers and exploitative systems, where the powerful, corrupt individuals at the top of the hierarchy control the entire process. In this analogy, the powerful individuals resemble the bosses of gambling operations, with their subordinates ensuring that no rules are broken and that all debts are collected. In the end, the only one profiting from this system is the boss, who reaps the rewards of all the gambling losses.
Similarly, women involved in exploitation face a system where they must align themselves with a powerful figure or gang to protect themselves and ensure that others pay them. Despite the abusive relationship, they are often left with only enough money to survive. The powerful, meanwhile, amass wealth without any effort. This corrupt system is replicated on a larger scale, with the rich and powerful growing wealthier while the rest of the population remains impoverished and subjugated.
The Capitalist System and Its Exploitation of the Global Population
In this way, the capitalist system perpetuates exploitation. Wealthy individuals and banks continue to control and manipulate the lives of the broader population, extracting vast sums of money through loans and interest. Meanwhile, the ordinary person is left to serve as a tool for the interests of the powerful.
In conclusion, until the current global system of exploitation is overturned, impoverished and low-income individuals will continue to live in a state of subjugation, with little hope for an independent and peaceful life. The current state of the world reflects the grim reality where the rich control everything, and the poor are left with no choice but to comply.
The Role of Islam in Changing the Global Equation
To challenge the unjust global equation, the world needs a pure and revolutionary way of thinking that can alter the balance in favour of the oppressed. This solution lies within the life-giving teachings of Islam. Therefore, it is imperative for those with knowledge and faith, particularly Shia Muslims, to lead this movement, standing firm and aware, so that despair, fatigue, and the suffering of the people do not overwhelm them. Such efforts cannot succeed without uprooting the foundations of imperialism in all its forms, but it is essential to note that this is achievable. The future of the world belongs to the faithful and those committed to the truth.
Even if the ability to bring this transformation to fruition may seem distant, it is important to understand that the true leader of this transformative process is Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his appearance), as no one else can establish a just and balanced world free from oppression and exploitation, where no one is forced to be a servant or subordinate to another.
Hoping for a Future Free of Oppression and Exploitation
May that blessed day come soon, when the world is rid of any trace of oppression, imperialism, and colonialism by today’s global powers.
Indeed, Has the Time Not Come for Scholars and Thinkers from Both Religious and Academic Spheres to Unite?
Indeed, the time has come for scholars and thinkers from both religious institutions (Hawzah) and universities to join hands, working together in great scientific unity to re-discover, strip away impurities, and present the authentic Islamic culture. This effort must aim to thwart the colonial and imperialistic plans of the corrupt and diseased leaders of the world.
Open and Closed Societies
Two distinct societies, often defined as “open” and “closed,” can be outlined and depicted as follows:
An open and healthy society, much like a triangle, moves and evolves in three distinct directions, continuing its natural existence. The primary foundation of such a society lies in its intellectual and cultural capabilities, along with its legal frameworks.
The second major component is the management structures, which function based on appropriate regulations to ensure smooth functioning. The third pillar is the active participation of the general public in various fields of work, with each of these three aspects being significant in their broadest sense.
Culturally, the backbone of an open society must be grounded in lawful scientific principles. In terms of implementation and public management, the executive and organizational body of society must operate as a unified entity, with the workforce’s capabilities aligned with the established legal and executive strengths.
Thus, the solid foundation of an open society is based on its scientific and cultural forces, and its executive power can only be properly managed if it aligns with the legal identity of that society. The effectiveness of its labor and active forces can only be fruitful when it reflects the practical results and benefits in a healthy and transparent manner.
The Divine and Just Society
In an open and healthy society, the general laws and individual and collective behaviors are based on divine principles and justice. The governance reflects a leadership rooted in love, justice, public guidance, purity, and honesty, and it never resorts to tyranny, oppression, or ignorance. If the leadership adopts force, bullying, or ignorance, then that leadership becomes a manifestation of tyranny, and its culture becomes imperialism, bearing only a superficial resemblance to Islamic values.
If the public culture and mindset are shaped by force, oppression, or deceit, then that society becomes sick, and that culture becomes intoxicating. In such a society, false tricks, tyrannical roles, and deceitful figures dominate, putting any opportunity for healthy growth at risk.
The Situation of a Closed Society
A society in which thinkers do not have the final say, where the intellectual and cultural segments lack the authority to express their thoughts, and cannot pursue ideas other than those based on their own cultural foundation, will never be an open and healthy society.
In such a society, thought becomes locked, its thinkers fossilize or become mercenaries, receiving improper rewards and wages. In closed societies, economy and capital play a dominant role, leading to exploitation, while honesty fades, and banking, like agriculture, serves only the purpose of financial gain, without benefiting the people.
In these societies, people are steered toward distorting truths and realities, and their intellectual capacities are manipulated for individual gain. Capital becomes the uncontested ruler, with both steps and writings geared towards serving its interests. In a closed society, the welfare of individuals is subordinated to the will of tyrannical rulers, and people are treated like sacrificial animals, often discarded or manipulated to temporarily strengthen a specific class.
The Monotheistic and Tyrannical Society
Our understanding of the terms open and closed society can be applied to the concepts of a monotheistic and tyrannical society. A monotheistic society is akin to an open society, while a closed society can be equated with a tyrannical and idolatrous one.
A monotheistic society is one in which leadership is realized under the shadow of general justice and monotheistic manifestations. In this society, the welfare of both religion and people is central to the leaders’ concerns, and the leaders themselves are virtuous figures.
A tyrannical and idolatrous society, on the other hand, is one where the interests of individuals or specific groups take precedence over the well-being of the people and religion. Here, monotheistic principles are disregarded, and one can infer other characteristics from this distinction.
The terms “open” and “closed,” or “monotheistic” and “tyrannical,” should not be regarded as absolute. Such classifications, when taken to extremes, are far from the truth. What is of significance is the relative dominance of these principles in practice.
A Glimpse of the Present World Situation
A brief examination of the world today reveals that it is dominated by closed societies, whether in the East or West, in developing nations or in more advanced regions. Despite the diversity in their laws and criteria, all these societies are closed in nature. All of today’s global powers first exploit their own people, and if possible, the rest of the world. They create difficulties for individual and public freedoms, capturing public opinion through widespread propaganda and using all available resources to serve their own interests.
Hope for the Future
The current global situation cannot remain unchanged forever. A time will come when humanity will rise against all injustices, opening the closed doors, and true supporters of humanity will lead the way. Though this day may not seem imminent, it is a day of hope and celebration for mankind.
In that future society, with divine thought guiding the culture, people’s welfare will become the focus, and truth and spirituality will be regarded as fundamental. Governance will be oriented towards the well-being of the people, and society will progress naturally towards unity and goodness.
Such a government, founded on knowledge, truth, and the welfare of the people, is embodied only in the lives of the Prophets and the Imams, peace be upon them, and their true followers. Others have no share in this. Only the rule of true leaders, free from materialism and deception, will work for the benefit of the people and will stand firm against tyranny, remaining untouched by it.
The Two Types of Government: Divine and Tyrannical
Human governments can be categorized into two types: divine and monotheistic, and tyrannical and satanic. In the Qur’an, these are referred to as the “party of God” and the “party of Satan.” Although there are numerous tyrannical regimes, they all share a certain lack of distinct quality and are continually in a state of decline. Only the governments of the monotheistic leaders have a consistent quality, all of them sharing a common language, logic, and approach, despite the great challenges they face in achieving this goal.
The Central Mechanism
Victory or defeat in various stages of divine movements is largely determined by the growth, awareness, or ignorance of the people. It is the people who play a crucial role in realizing righteousness and establishing religious truth.
Through the growth and awareness of the masses, along with the emergence of suitable divine and monotheistic ideas, the injustices of the human society can be put to an end, and the global community can be steered away from its deficiencies.
Although ignorance, fear, and public manipulation have always served as mechanisms for the establishment of evil and tyrannical regimes, a time will come when humanity will rid itself of ignorance and fear, putting an end to all forms of injustice. While this day may not be near, its logical certainty and inevitable occurrence remain undoubted.
Characteristics of Healthy and Unhealthy Societies
The primary driving force behind the majority of human societies is necessity, not honesty. In places where honesty is not needed, its fulfillment is of little consequence, even though it may be a genuine requirement. In such situations, the fulfillment of the need takes precedence, and society becomes unhealthy and undesirable.
The Healthy Society
All the prophets and divine messengers were sent to establish a natural progression for the growth and survival of human societies based on honesty. Honesty is meant to be the driving force for societal development and the preservation of life, leading to a new life, healthy joy, and a civilized and pure world for humanity.
However, evil, deficiencies, and impurity have always focused on the needs of people, rejecting anything but what was deemed necessary, even though they accepted honesty in some form within their respective domains.
Divine prophets came to build societies based on truthfulness, while their corrupt nature was shaped by the need for such honesty.
It is certain that with this coercive factor, humankind—the thinking being—will never have the opportunity for natural reflection to express its freedom of thought regarding its fate and to observe itself with a natural and human perspective.
Thus, the dominance of tyrants is, in a sense, a result of the people’s narrow-mindedness and inability to think, which itself is a consequence of the various exploitations that human beings suffer at the hands of their deceitful fellow humans.
To eliminate these two causal and consequential factors, a fundamental and essential solution must be found, one that does not arise from poisoned or unhealthy thoughts. This solution should aim to both identify human nature and clarify the reasons behind humanity’s failures throughout history. It should reveal that the natural inclination of human thought is freedom and dynamism. These external or coercive barriers have placed humanity on the path to failure and degradation, making its day darker than its night.
It is often said that humanity is progressing towards happiness and prosperity, taking one step each day in this direction, and steadily advancing towards a brighter future through increasing knowledge of the realities of the world.
However, concerning this statement, it must be said that while the idea is optimistic, it carries a fallacy. Growth, though it is the essence of progress and eternal goodness, does not necessarily mean that every form of growth and knowledge leads to the further perfection of humanity. Thus, while the first premise is correct, it is not true that every form of knowledge leads to progress.
Regarding the first statement, one must say that although growth and knowledge lead to eternal goodness, it is not the case that any type of knowledge inherently contributes to human perfection. Growth and knowledge, though conducive to happiness, do not guarantee it unless they are aligned with the true and natural course of life. Otherwise, aside from not contributing to happiness, they may even lead to failure and regression.
If one were to say that humans have grown significantly—once travelling with animals and now travelling with transcontinental vehicles—this statement would be true, but only if these advancements are aligned with a natural course. Otherwise, the consequences of this “growth” can cause significant harm. It would have been better if humans still fought with bows and arrows instead of nuclear bombs, as the latter, though a form of progress, is detrimental to humanity.
For the removal of all obstacles, humans must find healthy thoughts to solve their social problems, as social issues cannot be resolved without the reconstruction of intellectual problems.
Therefore, several points must be clarified:
First, in the universe—whether material or otherwise—there is no such thing as coercive force. There is no free Creator and compelled creation; phenomena and human beings are only affected by external and coercive obstacles, and there is no inherent coercion within the natural flow of life.
Unity and harmony pervade existence, and each phenomenon views itself in relation to others without natural hostility, except in cases of external coercion. War is not a foundation of progress, and it brings nothing but regression, even though it may be necessary in certain coercive moments in the world’s history.
Third, “materialism” must either become “realism” or “idealism,” as there is no such thing as historical materialism that can be reconciled with philosophical materialism.
A Journey to the Sacred Shrines
For a long time, the longing and desire to visit the sacred shrines (Atabat Al-‘Alyat) had overwhelmed my heart. Yet, upon visiting and experiencing the spiritual light of those revered places, I found myself in turmoil. This was because I realized that those luminous shrines had once been subjects of oppression by the tyrants of the world, and in later times, they had fallen prey to many beggars who turned them into sources of livelihood. Destruction, poverty, filth, and backwardness are widespread in these regions. The prolonged war and crimes of the Ba’athist Saddam regime have devastated the lives of the people there, leaving nothing but ruin behind.
The Thousand-Year Seminary of Shi’ism
The thousand-year-old seminary of Najaf has been destroyed, and Karbala has no seminary. Of all the grandeur and glory, only Wadi al-Salaam remains, yet it no longer carries the fragrance of peace and purity. It is a 25-kilometre square area, built up with several layers of dead graves, which, from an archaeological perspective, has no match anywhere in the world. I wish we did not even have that. When I was there, I saw the decayed retrogression, and had I the ability, I would have flattened that entire valley of the dead and transformed it into a vibrant, peaceful place, planting grass and erecting the most beautiful structures at the graves of the holy figures to restore the peace and purity to Wadi al-Salaam.
The Ka’bah of the People of Wilayah
The shrine of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), the Ka’bah of the People of Wilayah, has become a place where the dead from all corners gather, never empty of the deceased. Unfortunately, the stewards, seemingly hell-bound with terrifying appearances, have created such a situation that even a foreigner who enters this place will be disgusted. If I could, I would ban the entry of the dead altogether, so that the sacred precincts of the shrine would be a place for the living to perform their tawaf, not for the dead who come without cleanliness, hygiene, or respect, turning the shrine into a marketplace for certain individuals. It would be wonderful if the entire city surrounding the shrine were rebuilt and infused with fresh ideas and thoughts.
Though this may be a commendable sentiment, expressing it is perhaps not entirely suitable. In Iran, I could see retrogression in my mind, but when I visited the sacred shrines, I could touch the decayed retrogression with my own hands. I have a sea of thoughts in my heart that I wish to express, but there is no time. For now, this is enough: we must strive to rid ourselves of decayed retrogression.
