What if Iran had chosen the path of Humanity, National building and Prosperity?

[EarnOnVictor]

Could Iran have been the South Korea of the Middle East? Or Another viable economic rival to the UAE in the region? Yes, that's very possible. But it's provided they had chosen another course. I was so surprised by the technological capability Iran showed during the recent war. What if they had channelled it into technological evolution that the world pays for? And instead of sponsoring proxies, concentrate the money and resources into their infrastructure development and the growth of Iranian people?

The recent escalations and the tragic loss of significant leadership figures in the region invite a sombre economic reflection within and outside of the country. For decades, the global debate has focused on Iran’s "right" to nuclear technology. But as someone who votes for Humanity and positive Economics, we must ask a different question: What is the total "Opportunity Cost" of choosing military projection over national building? See around them, it is nothing but Failure!

--South Korea vs. Iran--
To buttress my view, in the 1960s, Iran and South Korea had similar GDP per capita and industrial potential. However, South Korea chose a path of "Export-Oriented Industrialisation," integrating into the global financial system. Fast forward to 2026, South Korea is now a global tech titan with a GDP of $1.9 Trillion and an Economic Complexity Index ranking in the top 5 globally. But regretfully, Iran, despite their vast oil reserves and a highly educated population, has a GDP that sits at roughly $475 billion, which could have been worse if they are not blessed with oil and over 67 other minerals resources (about 7% of world's total). The GDP is even less than 25% of South Korea's (A country with a meager resources). Let alone the development, standard of living, and the strength of national currency.

Do you know the major difference? One invested in "Chips" (semiconductors), while the other invested in "Centrifuges."

If Iran had pursued a transparent, civilian-only nuclear program that is similar to the Barakah plant in the UAE, it would now, possibly, be a global exporter of medical isotopes and cheap electricity. It hurts that the human capital in Tehran and Shiraz is world-class, but it is a tragedy of economic history that this talent is spent bypassing sanctions rather than building the "Nvidia" or "Tesla" of that region.

People may not see this, but I've always imagined an Iran that followed the path of the UAE or Saudi Arabia's "Vision 2030." With its unique geography, Iran could have been the primary bridge for the Middle Corridors trade route between Asia and Europe. I mean a pathfinder, a role model. If the billions spent on nuclear infrastructure and regional proxies had been diverted into Renewable Energy, Fintech, and Aerospace, Iran’s Supreme Leader would be presiding over a nation with near 0% unemployment and the strongest currency in the Middle East. Instead, a different path was chosen, but to what end?

Conclusively, for me, prosperity is the ultimate defence. See where China is today. I wonder how many countries could talk anyhow to or act anyhow around China. This is just because they first chose economic power. A country that is indispensable to the global supply chain is harder to attack than a country that is isolated from it. Peace!

[Oluwa-btc]

 A stupid post from a Nigerian Trumper. I honestly thought the Maga Trumpers were worst but the Nigerian Trumper?! They leave me stunned day after day.

Defending themselves and their children is part of being humans. You can not tell people oppressed for 45 years how to live their life. You don't like them?! Then you can fvck off respectfully. Keep on kissing ass and shit, it will not improve your brain cells which you have refused to update. And Bombing innocent Children in Palestine, Iran and Lebanon is part of humanity?! So much for being part of humanity.

[aoluain]

Could Iran have been the South Korea of the Middle East? Or Another viable economic rival to the UAE in the region? Yes, that's very possible. But it's provided they had chosen another course. I was so surprised by the technological capability Iran showed during the recent war. What if they had channelled it into technological evolution that the world pays for? And instead of sponsoring proxies, concentrate the money and resources into their infrastructure development and the growth of Iranian people?

They couldnt because Iran was the most heavily sanctioned country in the world with sanctuons
starting in 1970.

Also Iran has $100 billion of frozen assets which it cannot access.

Iran could truly be another super power given that the are the 5th wealtiest in terms of national
resources.

Maybe because of the attack on their country in a few years they will  become a bigger player in
the global markets.

[Fortify]

Show me one truly prosperous nation that is currently run by an Islamic leaning government that does not rely on oil money in some way. There are places like Turkey, which is a perfectly nice country but had most of it's success because secularism was ingrained in it by the founder of the country - although that is being undermined lately. Places like Nigeria are highly overpopulated but not especially successful. Pakistan has advanced parts to it, but also a lot of imbalance in the extremes. The problem with countries of this religion are the fairly extreme (in comparison to most other religions and non-religious cultures) viewpoints that can be made out from it's writings. We see evidence every day that the most extreme views can often be polarizing and win out, because the supporters are so fervent. It's how Trump got to power, you see it in Israel and all other countries with dictatorships. Iran simply never had the capacity to be a logical and progressive thinking country for this reason, which is has tended to be a requirement to become an economic powerhouse.

[BIT-BENDER]

Show me one truly prosperous nation that is currently run by an Islamic leaning government that does not rely on oil money in some way. There are places like Turkey, which is a perfectly nice country but had most of it's success because secularism was ingrained in it by the founder of the country - although that is being undermined lately. Places like Nigeria are highly overpopulated but not especially successful. Pakistan has advanced parts to it, but also a lot of imbalance in the extremes. The problem with countries of this religion are the fairly extreme (in comparison to most other religions and non-religious cultures) viewpoints that can be made out from it's writings. We see evidence every day that the most extreme views can often be polarizing and win out, because the supporters are so fervent. It's how Trump got to power, you see it in Israel and all other countries with dictatorships. Iran simply never had the capacity to be a logical and progressive thinking country for this reason, which is has tended to be a requirement to become an economic powerhouse.

I don't know what your view on Nigeria religion system is but Nigeria is not an Islamic nations I am making reference that you included them when trying to buttress your point that no Islamic leaning government is prosperous without relying on oil.
In as much as Nigeria isn't an Islamic nation it can't also be said to be a Christian nation I will say there is just that balance.
Although I don't think relying on oil or any natural resources your country has is a bad thing, many countries that lack some natural resources will give anything to have one the biggest let down any country can have to me is being blessed with natural but not being able utilise it to the benefit of country.

[Smartprofit]

There's a concept called the "resource curse." It states that countries rich in natural resources have historically been highly prone to authoritarianism. This, in turn, typically leads to accelerated militarization of the economy and low living standards. 🙋

This isn't a universal rule, but it's often true...

By the way, the wealthy Arab countries of the Middle East are also currently suffering greatly from war. At the same time, they have abandoned the militarization of their economies and instead focused on innovation and technological development.

Furthermore, comparing Iran and South Korea, we don't know South Korea's future, do we? It faces numerous external threats (for example, North Korea or China). Who knows if it will be able to survive in the future as a peaceful and prosperous country... Unfortunately, our world is very far from stability and harmony. 🤷

[AVE5]

What if they had channelled it into technological evolution that the world pays for? And instead of sponsoring proxies, concentrate the money and resources into their infrastructure development and the growth of Iranian people?

Technological infrastructures isn't projects to just bump in without proper structures. War is certainly part of the events in the geopolitical sentiments where countries weighs wars against others with the sensations of proving how strong the country is.
Although wars in generally is naturally waste of resources instead, budgeting the resources to improve the economy and the masses welfare is better preferred but the question is if can a country like the Iran in question be able to survive a situation where a country like the US could launch attacks on them and they don't retaliate and you think they Iranian will actually remain focused and achieve their economy projects such as the advanced technology?
Don't get it wrong, Iran would had been wiped out if they didn't remain on their ground.

[abhiseshakana]

I don't think comparing Iran with South Korea is apple to apple because matter of fact they have different ideology and starting point beside that choosing between economic and nuclear like choosing between our mother or our father both has different role and their functions do not replace each other and both are equally important. Economic are about how much value can the country create? it measure wealth a like production capacity, job availability, inovation, income and quality of live. But nuclear deterence are about survival and sovereignity, How much will it cost the other party to force the country to submit? it calculated risk of invasion, cost for foreign intervention, ability to withstand externall pressure and about a country diplomatic leverage which giving space for national interest, simply said make other country not act arbitrary.

[jossiel]

They can't do that advancement since they've been sanctioned 40+ years ago. It would be easy for them if their assets and other connections won't be blocked if it's not for that sanction.

I also think that there's a huge factor of embracing the history and never forgetting about it. They're rich with their culture and it's more than enough for them IMO.

Different cultures, different focus.

[Agbamoni]

A stupid post from a Nigerian Trumper. I honestly thought the Maga Trumpers were worst but the Nigerian Trumper?! They leave me stunned day after day.

Defending themselves and their children is part of being humans. You can not tell people oppressed for 45 years how to live their life. You don't like them?! Then you can fvck off respectfully. Keep on kissing ass and shit, it will not improve your brain cells which you have refused to update. And Bombing innocent Children in Palestine, Iran and Lebanon is part of humanity?! So much for being part of humanity.

He wants Iran to focus on technological advancement while its enemies sponsor weaponry that will be used to take everything from Iran in the future. I dont blame OP, though. There are things he really dont understand. When someone wants your downfall, the best thing you can do for yourself is to defend yourself at the same time and throw some punches. Iran has opened the eyes of other nations to see what could happen to them if they relent. I dont see anything more human than this.

[Oluwa-btc]

He wants Iran to focus on technological advancement while its enemies sponsor weaponry that will be used to take everything from Iran in the future. I dont blame OP, though. There are things he really dont understand. When someone wants your downfall, the best thing you can do for yourself is to defend yourself at the same time and throw some punches. Iran has opened the eyes of other nations to see what could happen to them if they relent. I dont see anything more human than this.

Iranian government did focus on technological development though, but they did on what they can use to defend themselves and their sovereignty.
The war itself is an unnecessary war and everything the isreali regime told the Us government to act we've all seen to be false. They had no such plans for uranium enrichment until the death of the former supreme leader.

[mu_enrico]

But as someone who votes for Humanity and positive Economics, we must ask a different question: What is the total "Opportunity Cost" of choosing military projection over national building? See around them, it is nothing but Failure!

The oil is a double-edged sword IMO. It's so precious that any country must protect it; thus, military strength is a must. But at the same time, when you have such military capabilities, there will be a delusion of taking over the world or occupying other countries' oil reserves. Add it with religious doctrine or some sort of expansionist ideology, and then you'll have such a hellhole.

---

There must be some correlation among those oil countries regarding why they couldn't prosper and why they appeared to be governed by some sort of dictator, king, or supreme leader. Whether it's Venezuela or Middle Eastern countries, my conclusion is that IQ matters more than people think. Countries that make money because of IQ will always be better governed than any country that makes money because of natural resources. They also make better decisions and value peace more.

[EluguHcman]

Have this thought the otherwise... if you think the Irans actually lavished the resources spent at the course defending themselves against the US attacks on them, be it known that they would had been requiring more funds and resources to restructure their economy and political ground again after the US must have dealt with them mercilessly because, if they acted weakly, definitely the scores on the war would had been more disastrous than it is recorded.
 
So don't see any essence to even suggest they should had used all that energies to grow in technology on that course when there's already war in the region where they need the energy and resources to defend their country.

[EarnOnVictor]

It's a pity that some understand the gist of this thread, but unfortunately, many should still have to go back to primary school, judging by how "downed" their brains are. Perhaps they should first drop their resentments and nonsense political views elsewhere out this thread and be neutral to follow the context of the post, and stop ridiculing themselves.

Show me one truly prosperous nation that is currently run by an Islamic leaning government that does not rely on oil money in some way. There are places like Turkey, which is a perfectly nice country but had most of it's success because secularism was ingrained in it by the founder of the country - although that is being undermined lately. Places like Nigeria are highly overpopulated but not especially successful. Pakistan has advanced parts to it, but also a lot of imbalance in the extremes. The problem with countries of this religion are the fairly extreme (in comparison to most other religions and non-religious cultures) viewpoints that can be made out from it's writings. We see evidence every day that the most extreme views can often be polarizing and win out, because the supporters are so fervent. It's how Trump got to power, you see it in Israel and all other countries with dictatorships. Iran simply never had the capacity to be a logical and progressive thinking country for this reason, which is has tended to be a requirement to become an economic powerhouse.

You nailed it! If it's not religious extremism, it's the illusion of the natural resources that has plagued many of them; something that should have being an added advantage as now technically becomes their setback. But I still respect countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, they are waking up from their slumbering. But they can do better, especially in the area of technology. Australia/Canada should be role models that, it's not all about natural resources, but what you do with it as a leverage. And I wonder what would be their lots if the world, over time, fades off the petroleum engines to save the earth.

-Snip-

They couldnt because Iran was the most heavily sanctioned country in the world with sanctuons
starting in 1970.

I think you don't get the gist. Iran can't just be looked upon one day and be sanctioned heavily for no reason, while other notable countries in the region are spared. I searched for the reason why they were heavily sanctioned for decades, and it shows that it's because of nuclear program ambition, support for terrorism, regional destabilisation and human rights abuse, among others.

But that's not the point. The point is, what if Iran chose another path that's opposite to why the issue started. How prosperous would the country be?

[Mate2237]

Could Iran have been the South Korea of the Middle East? Or Another viable economic rival to the UAE in the region? Yes, that's very possible. But it's provided they had chosen another course. I was so surprised by the technological capability Iran showed during the recent war. What if they had channelled it into technological evolution that the world pays for? And instead of sponsoring proxies, concentrate the money and resources into their infrastructure development and the growth of Iranian people?

The recent escalations and the tragic loss of significant leadership figures in the region invite a sombre economic reflection within and outside of the country. For decades, the global debate has focused on Iran’s "right" to nuclear technology. But as someone who votes for Humanity and positive Economics, we must ask a different question: What is the total "Opportunity Cost" of choosing military projection over national building? See around them, it is nothing but Failure!

Every country has a leadership and the leadership determines the detection of every country.we all know the story of Iran after the arad or Iranian revolution in the seventies which brought about a change in regime and brought in the leadership which has taken Iran to this present level. It was obvious that the Iranian people were been lead by their supreme leader and the president was just a ceremonial figure.


Everything you see playing out is a reflection of the fact that the leadership in Iran had an agenda and a vision. And so that is why they have invested money and resources which should have been channeled to other important areas of their economy into building misels and strengthening their economy. This was because the Leadership of Iran felt that they had enemies that were around them.

[colinistheman]

I think you don't get the gist. Iran can't just be looked upon one day and be sanctioned heavily for no reason, while other notable countries in the region are spared. I searched for the reason why they were heavily sanctioned for decades, and it shows that it's because of nuclear program ambition, support for terrorism, regional destabilisation and human rights abuse, among others.

But that's not the point. The point is, what if Iran chose another path that's opposite to why the issue started. How prosperous would the country be?

Quiet Shithead! They where only sanctioned by the west when they could no longer control Iran which was previously ruled by a Shah with American Isreali alliance and now ruled by the Islamic government who took over the Shah government. Mind you, the creation of the nuclear program and ambitions was supported by the US government and isreali until the Iran/Iraq war which was supported by the west to break down nuclear programs they helped them put up.

Now go back and look who finds terrorism more around the world  who wants continuous war to make profits, or are you that dull now?! Who says they're not prosperous?! Well, that is all you read and absorb from the western media shithead!!

The reason Iran is being sanctioned is simple: they refuse to become puppet or vassal of the US, instead choosing their own path. But unfortunately, the world is dominated by dictators, and any nation that opposes them, that goes against their interest, will become a target of attack. Dictator will readily impose sanctions, economic blockades, and worse, find pretexts to launch invasions.

Iran is just one of many examples. Before that came Iraq, Libya, Venezuela, and the list goes on.

[HelliumZ]

OP, do you want to refer to Israel and America as peace-loving countries? Where these two countries have a record of invading most countries in the world. The way they attacked Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and most recently Iran, they have caused billions of dollars in damage.
Is America on the path to peace? How do you see the direct kidnapping of the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro just for oil as a symbol of peace? America and Israel target and attack Muslim-majority countries, giving priority only to religious sentiments and their own national interests.

[Spaceman1000$]

You made brilliant point on how Iran will have been the world power in times of economic strength if they had followed the part to which south Korea followed. However I've read in the past where in the 70s Iranian economy was doing good and it was booming, but I think at a point some religious cleric's took over the mantle of leadership in the country and began to change the trajectory of what the initial plan was, their actions recorded some level of religions extremism and the need to fortify themselves having more arms instead of creating intercontinental interface between them and the outside the rest of the world for more economic strive. For me I believe religion play the throne in making Iran what it is today.

[Fiatless]

I think you don't get the gist. Iran can't just be looked upon one day and be sanctioned heavily for no reason, while other notable countries in the region are spared. I searched for the reason why they were heavily sanctioned for decades, and it shows that it's because of nuclear program ambition, support for terrorism, regional destabilisation and human rights abuse, among others.

But that's not the point. The point is, what if Iran chose another path that's opposite to why the issue started. How prosperous would the country be?

Do you know what happened to Libya? On December 19, 2003, Muammar Gaddafi surrendered Libya's uranium enrichment centrifuges and nuclear weapon blueprints. Eight years after Gaddafi was killed, and today Libya is a shithole. It is widely believed that Israel possesses nuclear weapons but nobody is talking about it.

I am not in support of terrorist activities; however, even the US promotes terrorism. The US government acknowledged that it gave arms to Kurdish fighters and Israel confirmed that it armed some Palestinian militias. After these conflicts, these arms will be used for terrorism.

Over the years, Iran has been fighting for survival. From my point of view, the US and its allies call leaders who fail to do their bidding terrorists. We are talking about human rights violations when people are being killed in Saudi Arabia. Yet Mohammed bin Salman was given a red carpet reception in Washington. Cuba has been under blockade by a country; is that an act of terrorism? The Venezuelan president was kidnapped because he doesn't want to be an ally of the US

If Iran drops its nuclear program, it will become another Libya.

[icebar]

If Iran had tried to develop the country by emphasizing their economy at the beginning, it would have been possible, but Iran did not do that, but rather was very concerned about their security. Especially where Israel is somehow dominating. Iran may know very well that if they are not militarily strong, their security will be threatened. Although this idea is not unreasonable. Because we have seen that despite having so many natural resources in Iraq, they could not remain independent because they only had to lose due to the influence of international politics there. Iran has been able to achieve these things in advance about the future, which is why they did it for long-term gains rather than temporary gains.