Yesterday the crisis in Iran took on a new dimension as Ayatollah Ali Khamenei officially swore in Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for another term as president. Thousands immediately took to the streets in opposition. All of this seems to be part of one big miscalculation on the part of Khamenei. In dismissing the will of the electorate he has de-legitimized the very power he was attempting to wield as head of a more authoritarian political body. Even if the islamic council is as totalitarian as the west likes to portray it, by at least maintaining the charade of representative democracy the Ayatollah had always been able to legitimize his rule among the Iranian people. With this veil cast aside, Khamenei will seem like just another Shah. The lesson for rulers here? Never underestimate the importance of popular legitimacy. No system will stand long without it.
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