tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31588679.post2134275040546273002..comments2023-10-21T16:25:58.899+01:00Comments on Three Score Years And Ten: Internal Make-Up : Part 2 of "Understanding Iran"Harry Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01600933854461096745noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31588679.post-79629748378028513932008-04-29T20:00:00.000+01:002008-04-29T20:00:00.000+01:00I just need to make a comment about the official r...I just need to make a comment about the official rates of unemployment.<BR/><BR/>Census gathering in Iran is not quite scientific as one may assume.<BR/><BR/>A lot of people are self-employed; a lot of people are doubly or triply employed. The statistics of employment in Iran include those Iranians who are on a governmental or corporate payroll; and who pay regular taxes. Many, however, do not pay taxes, or reveal proof of income and employment.<BR/><BR/>Some women sector, for example, is employed in home-based businesses that fall under the radar of the statistics.Najhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17728668942925956610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31588679.post-3334225094443453222008-02-22T10:08:00.000+00:002008-02-22T10:08:00.000+00:00Hi Cathy USA: I have just seen your comment as I h...Hi Cathy USA: I have just seen your comment as I have been to London for a few days, including a visit to the Commons for a meeting with Iraqi Trade Unionists from their transport industry. Whilst I have links with Iraqis which go back to my national services days in Basra in 1955-56, I have only ever seen Iran in the distance 3 times in my life from different positions in Iraq. So I am the one who is really attemtpting to understand Iran from secondary sources and my own political judgements. If you see any non-sense, then please let me know.Harry Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01833380054575757928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31588679.post-69361872623179942542008-02-18T19:06:00.000+00:002008-02-18T19:06:00.000+00:00Mr. Barnes,I am a American Citizen and after her f...Mr. Barnes,<BR/>I am a American Citizen and after her first 50 years has passed has finally started to get more politically involved. I wanted to thank you for the education and your insight in the Middle East political and ethnic differences.<BR/>I will continue to read your posts. I find them to be very enlightening.Cathy USAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17200339612160916029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31588679.post-82473354644418491532008-02-07T23:16:00.000+00:002008-02-07T23:16:00.000+00:00Hass: As I deal with "GDP per head of population" ...Hass: As I deal with "GDP per head of population" and as Qatar's population is similar to that of Cyprus and Bahrain and is well beyond those of Malta, Iceland and the Bahamas; I feel that what I say gives reasonable comparisons. For I also stress the size of Iran.<BR/><BR/>Qatar is around 600,000, but I haven't yet checked on the camels.<BR/><BR/>On the Azeris, I recognise that they share their Shia religion and a long heritage (with its intermarriage) with Persians.We do have a devolved Assembly in Wales which includes a number of Welsh Nationists! I defer, however, to the use of"Azeris" as I am not involved in making terrotorial claims. I will alter the text on that. <BR/><BR/>Comments on the more political stuff in coming sections would also be welcome.Harry Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01833380054575757928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31588679.post-61081897750139357952008-02-07T16:30:00.000+00:002008-02-07T16:30:00.000+00:00GDP comparisons are not generally valid when compa...GDP comparisons are not generally valid when comparing nations with tremendous differences in population size. Qatar, for example, consists of 5 guys and their camel. Naturally Qatar would have a higher GDP.<BR/><BR/>Also, while it has become fashionable to point out that about a quarter of Iranians are "Azeris" (because some in Washington insist that Iran is merely an empire that can fall apart if only separatists are supported) this overlooks several centuries of intermarriage. The term Azeri really is now just a linguistic classification, not an "ethic" one, referring to people who speak a dialect of Turkish. However, nowdays everyone in Iran speaks Farsi as well, and the Azeris are not more an ethnic minority in Iran than the Welsh are an "ethnic minority" in the UK.hasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14119702949390313368noreply@blogger.com