Such scenes prompted many to recall the last days of the shah of Iran, when millions took to the streets. And as we live through contemporary events, there are striking similarities between then and now that should inform the debate about what may happen, about our hopes and our fears. One obvious parallel is the central role of economics. Soaring inflation was a key trigger for the most recent unrest. It was almost 50 years ago as well. In 1977, the price of basic consumer goods rose as much as 27%. Then, too, the key actors were shopkeepers and businessmen in Tehran’s bazaar whose livelihoods were threatened.