So far, we have discussed people whose freedom of choice may be limited by poverty, threats and economic dependency. However, there is another group of individuals who cooperate with repressive structures not because they are forced to, but deliberately, in pursuit of wealth, positions of authority, influence and personal gain.
For example, imagine someone who is already in a relatively comfortable financial and social position but seeks closer ties with those in power to obtain a higher position, lucrative business contracts or special privileges. To preserve these benefits, that person may support unjust decisions, justify the repression of others or even participate directly in carrying it out.
Of course, as we have previously explained, simply working in government offices or having connections with officials does not constitute complicity in repression. People need jobs and income to support themselves and their families. Our focus is on those who knowingly use their positions and influence to violate the rights of others, or who help implement repressive policies in exchange for privileges and personal benefits.
One example of such cooperation can be seen in the relationships between governments and certain influential local figures.
Someone who enjoys respect and credibility within a community may help an unjust decision gain acceptance by publicly supporting it or reducing opposition to it. If that person knowingly uses their social standing to justify repression in exchange for money, a position of authority or other privileges, they are effectively placing their influence at the service of maintaining power.
In the Islamic Republic of Iran, networks connected to those in power can also tie the interests of certain individuals and groups to the continuation of the government through privileged access to economic resources, contracts, administrative positions and political benefits.
Under such circumstances, those who benefit from these relationships may support unjust policies or participate in implementing them in order to protect their privileges.
This issue is particularly significant in Balochistan.
In a society where people face economic deprivation, discrimination and limited opportunities, deliberate cooperation between influential individuals and repressive policies can cause even greater harm to the population.
This is especially true when someone uses the difficulties and needs of their own community for personal gain instead of using their position to defend that community's rights.
However, the harm caused by this type of cooperation is not limited to a single individual or family.
When people help implement unjust policies to protect their positions and personal interests, they can make it more difficult for others to protest and demand their rights, increase distrust within communities, and contribute to the continuation of discrimination and deprivation.
As a result, an individual may benefit from cooperating with those in power today, while the consequences of that cooperation may affect the lives of thousands of people for years to come.
The opportunities denied to people, the rights disregarded and the fear spread throughout society are costs borne by the entire community.
This is where the meaning of the statement attributed to Simone de Beauvoir becomes clearer. A repressive government does not survive through military forces, prisons and weapons alone; the deliberate cooperation of those who see their own interests in the continuation of repression can also help sustain it.
In practice, by assisting in the implementation of repressive policies, these individuals not only benefit from the existing power structure but also help preserve the very system that restricts people's rights.
In this video, we have examined two different situations: people whose freedom of choice has been restricted by poverty and threats, and those who, with greater freedom of choice, knowingly benefit from cooperating in repression.
These two groups should not be judged in the same way. However, it is important to understand how repressive governments can use both forms of cooperation to maintain power.
For this reason, strengthening mutual support, social trust and cooperation among ordinary people is essential to reducing such dependencies.