Darius Rejali — The Long Shadow of Torture

Childhood

Darius Rejali's childhood in pre-revolutionary Iran was marked by a complex interplay of modernity and brutality. Raised by an Iranian Shiite father and a Calvinist American mother, he was acutely aware of his aristocratic lineage's history of using torture against opponents. This awareness was juxtaposed with the modern, cosmopolitan life he experienced in Tehran, a city bustling with cultural activities like movie theaters and ice rinks 1 2. Rejali reflects on the tension between the ideals of gentlemanliness and the harsh realities of power, noting, "When evil walks in the door, it usually has a good French education or an American education and invites you out for a beer and is very friendly."

When evil walks in the door, it usually has a good French education or an American education and invites you out for a beer and is very friendly.

--- Darius Rejali

This duality shaped his understanding of power and its abuses, influencing his later work as a political scientist.

   

Philosophy

Rejali's philosophical views on torture are deeply informed by his personal history and the moral complexities he observed. He discusses the hypocrisy inherent in defending noble values through violent means, drawing parallels between his family's aristocratic values and the broader political landscape 3. Rejali questions whether it is better to be loved or feared, suggesting that America's strength lies in its ability to uphold human rights while maintaining power. He states, "If we fight with one hand behind our back and win, we will be both loved and feared."

If we fight with one hand behind our back and win, we will be both loved and feared.

--- Darius Rejali

This perspective underscores the moral dilemmas faced by democracies in addressing torture and human rights abuses 4.