AP COMP GOV IRAN
Muhammad Khatami
(1997-2005)
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
(2005-2013)
The Shah's Regime
-Large military -SAVAK: secret police -Expanded bureaucracy -Rigged Majles elections; rubber-stamp parliaments. He has a lot of legislative power, they can write laws and stuff within the government but when they go out to talk to the people he doesn't have a lot of power. -Authoritarian state Earned supporters: -opening up of iran to the world and foreign investment; infrastructure -women gained the rights to vote; women's suffrage -secularization; limit religious influence in govt & public policy (division of church and state) Where did he go wrong? -corruption -repression -"out of touch" -larish, wasteful (because he is rich)
How were Ayatollah Khomeini and his cleric followers able to consolidate power following the Islamic Revolution of 1979?
-Used populist rhetoric to rally the population against the regime -Denounced the White revolution -forced into exile -ideas that senior clergy have authority over the community; clerics as leaders of the community qualities suitable - traditional legitimacy, charismatic legitimacy, exemplify Iranian tradition, etc., could create bonds among the people, less corruptible
Expediency Council
-created after death of Khomeini -40 member body; includes non-clerics, ⅔'s appointed by Supreme Leader for 5-year terms. (cleric's influence decision for these people) -Referees disputes between the Guardian Council and the Majlis; final decisions cannot be overturned. -May initiate legislation. -created to prevent gridlock. (noam vs. mrs. shepard example) -meets in secret and is accountable only to the S.L. -collectively, most powerful men in Iran.
President (Head of Government)
-elected every 4 years (max 2 consecutive terms) -highest official representing democratic principles of Iran. -must be Shi'ite and uphold Islamic principles. -cannot run if you are a religious minority. -does NOT have to be a cleric
Iran Under Shah Rule
1953-1979
Leader/Supreme Leader (Head of State)
A cleric elected to be the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Foundation of the Oppressed
A clerically controlled foundation set up after the revolution in Iran.
ayatollah
A high ranking cleric in iran. Literally, "sign of god".
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
An organization dedicated to achieving stability in the price fluctuations, and generally furthering the interests of the member states.
Reza Shah
Colonel Reza Khan, ruled until 1941. retained control over the armed forces had to tolerate a free press, and independent judiciary... etc. Had to confront two vigorous political movements: Communist Tudeh Party National Front British and Soviet invasion led him to step down from power in favor of his son. went into exile, where he soon died.
Assembly of Experts
Group that nominates and can remove the Leader. The assembly is elected by the general electorate, but almost all its members are clerics.
Velayat-e Faqih
Guardianship of Jurist - Khomeini's concept that the Iranian clergy should rule on the grounds that they are the divinely appointed guardians of both the law and the people.
Oil & Rentier State
Iran transformed into a rentier state. By 1979, oil and associated industries provided 97% of foreign exchange and majority of Iran's GDP. Oil revenues become so great that the government did not have to rely on internal taxes to generate income.
Hezbollahis/"Partisans of God"
Literally, "partisans of God." In Iran, the term is used to describe religious vigilantes. In Lebanon, it is used to describe the Shi'i militia.
How did Muhammad Reza Shah come to power, and what role did the United States play in supporting him?
Muhammad Reza Shah came to power when his father was exiled.The shah was seen as a foreign puppet who does what is best for foreigners and not for Iranians. He really came to power after the coup of 1953 where the shah with the help of the US and GB eventually overthrew Mossadegh.
Pasdaran/Revolutionary Guards
Persian term for guards, used to refer to the army of Revolutionary Guards formed during Iran's Islamic Revolution.
National Front
Political movement, confronted by Reza Shah, Led by Dr. Muhammad Mossadeq. drew support from the salaried middle classes and campaigned to nationalize the British company that controlled the petroleum industry.
Tudeh Party
Political movement, confronted by Reza Shah. drew support from working-class trade unions.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Present Supreme leader of the Islamic Republic. (1989 to present) Iran's president since 1981 and close confidante of Khomeini was chosen to succeed Khomeini. High-ranking cleric, but not an ayatollah. does not have the title he must have to be the supreme leader. (but he is a supreme leader > ) Iran changes the rules to make him an ayatollah.
What are some characteristics of Iran's Party System? What are some characteristics of Iran's elections? Why did Rouhani win the presidential elections in 2013?
President Hassan Rouhani (2013- present) Ran a reform campaign- release of mousavi, normalization of relations with the west, gender equality, and citizens' rights Focused on economic issues and increasing standard of living Credibility as nuclear negotiator Endorsed by Khatami and Rafsanjani- supreme leader refuse to back conservative candidates
Imam Ali
Prophet Muhammad's son-in-law. Shi'is believe when prophet Muhammad died that authority should have been, and was, passed to him. He then passed authority to his heirs.
White Revolution
Shah's effort to promote economic development and social reform. "White" to counter influence of "red" communists Land reform Improvements in infrastructure Women's rights Literacy campaign
shari'a
Shari'a - Islamic law derived mostly from Qur'an and the examples set by the Prophet Muhammad in the Sunnah.
What social groups are most likely and least likely to support the Islamic Republic?
Shia muslims who reject the velayat-e-faqih Non farsi speaking, non persian minorities (jews, armenian christians, baha'is, sunni muslims/kurds/arabs baluchis) Modern middle class (teachers, engineers, college students) Educated women Organized labor
Qur'an
The Muslim Bible
People of the Book
The Muslim term for recognized religious minorities, such as Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians.
1953 Coup
The Shah and royalist army officers, with the support of the CIA and the British, overthrew the democratically elected prime minister, Mossadegh intensified anti-British sentiment and created distrust with the United States. made the Shah appear as a foreign puppet.
What impact did the Shah's economic policies have on Iranian society? How has the Islamic Republic of Iran governed the economy since 1979? What role do oil revenues play in integrating Iran into the global economy?
The Shah limited affiliation of church and state, allowing for a better economy because religion is not considered. Iran transformed into a rentier state. By 1979, oil and associated industries provided 97% of foreign exchange and majority of Iran's GDP. Oil revenues become so great that the government did not have to rely on internal taxes to generate income.
Resource Curse
The concept that revenue derived from abundant natural resources, such as oil, often bring unforeseen ailments to countries.
Five Pillars of Islam
The duties that Muslims must do to consider themselves faithful. 1. give to charity 2. pray every day facing Mecca 3. visit Mecca (which is located in Saudi Arabia) 4. fast during the daytime hours in the month of Ramadan. 5. One central tenet - "There is only one God, and Muhammad is His Prophet."
Majles
The iranian parliament, from the Arabic term for "assembly".
In what ways do the clergy control the government of the Islamic Republic?
The supreme leader powers in multiple positions in the gov clerics are the supreme leaders (most powerful office in Iran; can be removed if incompetent and not fulfilling the goals; people who elect them are able to take them out) commander in chief of armed forces, declares war and peace appoints heads of governmental organizations
Imam Husayn
The third heir of Imam Ali, he seeked sympathy while fighting the Sunnis in 680.
Guardian Council
a committee created in the Iranian constitution to oversee the majles (the parliament)
Rentier state
a country that obtains much of its revenue from the export of oil or other natural resources.
Green wave movement
a political movement that arose after the 2009 Iranian presidential election, in which protesters demanded the removal of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad from office
Theocracy
a state dominated by the clergy, who rule on the grounds that they are only interpreters of God's will and law.
Political Islam
a term for the intermingling of Islam with politics and often used as a substitute for Islamic fundamentalism.
bonyads
an Islamic charity organization. -semi-public institutions. -usually called "foundations."
Shi'is
argue that as soon as the Prophet died, his authority should have been passed on to Imam Ali, the prophet's son-in-law. Also believe that Imam Ali then passed his authority to his heirs (a person legally entitled to something upon a person's death) -literally means "partisans of Al.i" -less than 10% of muslims are Shi'is. -known as "twelvers"
Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)
armed conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Iraq lasting from September 1980 to August 1988, making it the 20th century's longest conventional war followed a long history of border disputes, and was motivated by fears that the Iranian Revolution in 1979 would inspire insurgency among Iraq's long-suppressed Shia majority, as well as Iraq's desire to replace Iran as the dominant Persian Gulf state Iraq won
To what extent does geography, language, history, and religion give Iran a distinct identity?
big in comparison to middle east countries located between eastern europe and asia vulnerable to conquerors and invaders most of its territory is inhospitable to agriculture Second largest oil producer in the middle east; fourth largest in the world. Urbanized and partly industrialized society. Middle income country; standard living of above many nations in Asia & Africa. Oil rich country Developing Country Language: Farsi (persian) Religion: Islam (sunni, shi'is) History: shah and shit; battle of karbala, etc.
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini - (supreme leader: 1979-1989)
brought into power by the Islamic Revolution of 1979. dies in 1989 (gives power to Khamenei) supports the Guardianship of Jurist believes clerics should have authority over the entire community.
Islamic Revolution of 1979
charged the Shah and his family for everything he did. economic downturn International pressure on Shah's human rights record Regrouping of political parties and labor/ professional organizations Student demonstrations & anti regime rallies general strikes Militias Revolutionary Guards
Safavid Dynasty
conquered the territory that is now Iran in the 16th century. Forcibly converted their subjects to Shi'ism even though most of them were Sunnis. Tolerated "people of the book" (religious minorities, such as jews, zoroastrians, christians) as long as they paid special taxes and accepted royal authority. (as long as they were legitimate)
Twelve Imams
descendants of Ali) - chosen by Muhammad and in possession of special spiritual qualities. Shi'is believe in the divine power or Ali and his dependents; the descendants of Ali are the twelves; people who have spiritual power; part of their creed. believe that the last one hasn't come. (#12 is going to come to earth and restore peace and justice in the world)
Elections
elect on national level a head of state and head of government (the president), a legislature (the Majlis), and an "Assembly of Experts" (which elects the Supreme Leader) All candidates have to be approved by the Guardian Council
Pahlavi Dynasty
established by Colonel Reza Khan, and was the first non tribal dynasty to rule the whole of Iran. Colonel Reza Khan carried out a coup d'état. (power-grab, military take over of leadership, regime change.) replaced the power in his own hands 4 years later, he deposed the Qajars and crowned himself Shah-in-Shah. he modernized the country by building a centralized state with an army and large administrative bureaucracy.
Shi'i populism
even THO shi'i Muslims are a minority across the globe, the population in Iran is so concentrated that they're the majority
Political Legitimacy
government has the right to rule (same as legitimacy)
Ayatollah/Grand Ayatollah
high ranking cleric
Chief judge
highest judge of the Supreme Court of Iran
qanun
laws promulgated by Muslim sovereigns, in particular the Ottoman Sultans, in contrast to shari'a, the body of law elaborated by Muslim jurists.
Dr. Muhammad Mossadeq
lead the National Front. Elected prime minister in 1951. nationalized the oil industry. Was overthrown by royalist army officers in 1953 (1953 coup)
Civil Society
non-governmental organizations and institutions that manifest interests and will of citizens
Islamic Republic
often described as "a regime of the ayatollahs. more of a regime of the hojjat al-Islams (middle-ranking clerics) senior clerics want nothing to do with it
Farsi
persian word for the persian language. Fars is a province in Central Iran.(farsi = persian) 53% of the population today speaks Farsi (persian)
Dr. Hassan Rouhani
president of the Islamic Republic, elected in 2013. middle ranking religious cleric. won by running on a reform platform.
Prophet Muhammad
prophet of god
Sunnis
recognized the early dynasties that ruled the Islamic empire with the title of caliph (muslim religious ruler). -literally means "followers of tradition." -majority of Muslims are Sunnis.
Islam
second largest religion in the world. literally means "submission to God" Muslim is someone who has submitted to god already.
SAVAK
secret police armed forces were supplemented by the pervasive secret police
Khomeinism
similar to guardianship of jurist
Muhammad Reza Shah
son of Reza Shah.
Bureaucracy
system of government when the important decisions are made by state officials, rather than elected officials.
Madhi
the Twelfth Imam. known as the hidden imam. believe that 12 Iman is going to come to earth and restore peace and justice in the world.
Secularization
the transformation of a society from close identification with religious values and institutions toward nonreligious (or irreligious) values and secular institutions
Islamism
the use of islam as a political ideology. Similar to political Islam and Islamic fundamentalism.
Guardianship of Jurist
theory that states that clerics should have authority over the entire community. Khomeini created this after the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
Qajar Dynasty
turkic speaking Shi'i tribe. conquered iran from 1794-1925 recreated the Safavid system of central manipulation and court administration. declared Shi'ism to be the state religion.
Basej-e Mostazafin/ Mobilization of the Oppressed
volunteer militia created in November 1979 by decree of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to protect the new Islamic Republic of Iran against counter-revolutionary uprisings as well as external threats
Clerical Conservatism
want to keep power to unelected bodies to keep clerics with power
Political Liberalism
what the reformers want (democratic features of government to be emphasized, they are ok with having clerics but they want majlis to have more power)
