It’s the Iranian economy, stupid!

That’s the real Iranian “driver” for many voters there.

Russ Douthat reminds us that, abroad, too, it’s the economy, stupid, and the economy really sucks in Tehran.

So far, though, unlike the 1930s, the world economic crisis hasn’t threatened democracy, he reminds us, but actually has boosted it in places like Iran. Or, at least, boosted the desire for it.