Mossadegh is back again in Teheran. Last week he resigned as premier when the Shah balked at giving him dictatorial powers and, instead, appointed Ahmed Qavam, an old-line politician, to head the government. [Mossadegh wanted control of the miltary, quit after the Shah’s refusal, and was replaced by Ahmad Ghavam] This provoked mass demonstrations. Attempts to put these down by force were bloody failures. Qavam is in flight. His home has been burned; his property may be confiscated. His top military supporters and even the Shah’s younger brother may be tried and executed. And Shah and parliament have called back Mossadegh to more power than he ever had before.

In a way, this may be called a triumph of “the will of the people.” There is no doubt that, despite election irregularities, Mossadegh does have a measure of popular support. But a functioning democracy also demands ability and responsibility.

Mossadegh’s failure to get the seized oil properties into operation is an old story. Despite dissipation of unrecoverable government resources, Iran finished its last fiscal year with a staggering deficit. Now the in-again, out-again premier proposes such fiscal measures as the sale of the crown jewels, the suspension of all pensions, new taxes and the printing of more paper money. He also talks of getting the help of Dr. Schacht, Hitler’s money magician. [He invited German economist Hjalmar Schacht for consultation]

It is difficult to see much hope in these improvisations. But Iran needs economic stability as the basis for orderly government. Its chief hope lies in its oil, yet nothing can be realized from this source without orderly business methods. The lesson is plain enough: The old, feudal exploiting class is at the end of its rope; but popular nationalism without discipline and intelligence is not an adequate substitute.