Iran

Sharia

Islamic law--it is a key source of legitimacy in modern Iran.

Muhammad Khatami

Khatami was elected President in 1997 and served until 2005. He was a reformer who sought to put Iran on a more secular path by loosening freedom of speech, and the press, opening up the economy, and creating more friendly relations with the rest of the world. He never challenged the theocratic roots of the Islamic Republic but reformers definitely gained ground during his time in office in the Majles. President Ahmadinejad has sought to arrest and execute Khatami as a result of the recent unrest in Iran.

bazaaris

Merchants--they are powerful political and economic actors in Iran

Qajar Empire

The Qajars ruled Iran from 1795 - 1925. They were Turks and therefore could not claim to be the descendents of the 12 imans. Their legitimacy was much more secular and they helped to widened the separation of religion and state. They were also corrupt and sold out Iranisn resources (mainly oil) to the British. Their power was challenged in 1905 during the Constitutional Revolution and they were forced to give in to the Constitution of 1906 which established both the Majles and the Guardian Council.

Safavid Dynasty

The Safavid dynasty dominated Iran from 1501 to 1722. During this time, they converted nearly all Irans from Sunni to Shiism and established a tradition of authoritarian rule.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

President of Iran since 2005. Won reelection in 2009.

Al Khamenei

He became the Supreme Leader after the death of the Ayatollah Khomeini. He did not have the charisma of Khomeini.

Supreme Leader

He is viewed as the vital link between branches of the Iranian govenrment and determines the interests of Islasm. He can dismiss the president, acts as the commander in chief, nominates and can remove judges, appoints half the Guardian Council, appoints the director of the national TV and radio stations and the heads of the major bonyads

Ayatollah Khomenei

He led the Revolution of 1979 from exile in Paris. He stressed Islamic fundamentalism and emphasized a literal interpretation of Islamic texts. He redefined the concept of the jurist's guardianship. He died in 1989 after consolidating a lot of power in his hands through the Cultural Revolution and the removal of opposition parties and individuals. His authority was as much charismatic as it was religiously based.

Ayatollah

High ranking clerics in Iran--the most senior are known as grand ayatollahs--there are only about six of these in the whole country.

Constitution of 1979

This constitution established the framework for the Islamic Republic after the 1979 Revolution. It was approved by the Iranian people in a referendum.

Revolution of 1979

This is the revolution that finally ended the rule of the dynasties and the shahs for good. The revolution was led from abroad by the Ayatollah Khomeini (he was in Paris). It established an Islamic Republic. An overwhelming percentage of Iranians gave their assent to this new regime in a referendum held in April, 1979.

fundamentalism

This term refers to radical religous movements--such as that advocated by the Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979. In this case, Khomeini advocated a very strict reading of Islamic law.

theocracy

A state dominated by religious leaders whose legitimacy rests on their belief that they are the only interpretors of God's will and law.

rentier state

A state which derives most of its revenue from a single resource such as oil. Other countries "rent" the resource from the government. As a resutl, the government does not have to charge its citizens taxes to fund public goods and services

Muhammad Mosaddeq

He was the leader of the National Front, a political party which challenged the power of Reza Shah. He was elected prime minister in 1951 and was incredibly popular because he advocated nationalizing the British owned company which controlled Iranian oil. He was overthrown in the 1953 coup which restored the Shah to power.

bonyads

Religious charitable foundations whose directors are appointed by the Supreme Leader--the assets of these foundations were created from factories, mines, and estates owned by the elites under the shah's regime--their revenues are worth half the size of government revenue and they employ a lot of people in Iran--they are great sources of corruption and patronage in Iran. The biggest bonyad is the Foundation of the Oppressed. It operates Iran's two biggest newspapers, 100 construction companies, 250 factories and mines.

The Pahlavis

Reza Khan (a Pahlavis) carried out a coup against the last Qajar ruler in 1925 and declared himself shah in shah (king of kings). He turned over power to his son, Muhammed Reza Shah in 1941. Reza Shah ruled until he was forced out of power in 1979 (with the sole exeception of 1952 when he fled the country after being challenge by Mosaddeq).

Reza Shah

Reza Shah took over power from his father Reza Khan in 1941. He was the Shah of Iran from 1941 until the Revolution in 1979. Under his leadership, Iran was transformed into a rentier state. He also secularized the country to a great extent, separating religion from the state. And he cemented ties with the West.

Constitution of 1906

The Constitution was modeled after western ones with direct elections, separation of powers, an elected legislature (the Majles), popular sovereignty and a Bill of Rights. It also created the Guardian Council.

Guardian Council

The Guardian Council was created by the Constitution of 1906 to act as a check on the Majles. It is composed of 12 men. Half the members are appointed by the Supreme Leader and half are nominated by the chief judge and approved by the Majles. The Guardian Council can veto legilation passed by the Majles. They also must approve all candidates for office.

Majles

The Iranian unicameral legislature created by the 1906 Constitution. It can pass laws but the Guardian Council exerts veto power over all laws created by the Majles. Members are elected every four years in single member districts. All candidates must be approved by the Guardian Council.

Presidential election of 2005

The President needs to win by over 50% of the vote. Ahmadinejad won less than 20% of the vote in the first ballot. He won a surprising 60% of the vote in the second ballot.

Revolutionary Guard

The Revolutionary Guard was esablished by the Ayatollah Khomeini after the Revolution. Its leaders are appointed by the Supreme Leader. The Revolutionary Guard is separate from the official Iranian military. It's mission is to safeguard the Islamic Republic while the miltiary safeguards the Iranian border from outside threats.

Jurist's Guardianship

The basis of authority for the Supreme Leader developed by the Ayatollah Khomeini prior to the 1979 revolution. According to this concept, the Iranian clergy should rule because they are the divinely appointed guardians of both the law and the people---all Shiite people.

Constitutional Revolution of 1905 - 1909

The revolution began when business owners and bankers demonstrated against the Qajars and their bad economic decisions for the country. They demanded a written constitution from the shah. The British put pressure on the shah to agree. The result was the Constitution of 1906.

Basij

They were originally formed during the Iran-Iraq war as a voluntary militia made up of boys too young to serve in the military--after the war, they became the private militia of the Supreme Leader--today they number about 20 million--they have no official power but they are used by the Supreme Leader to ensure compliancy among the Iran population--we saw the role they played in the 2009 election

Expediency Council

This Council was created by the Supreme Leader to resolve differences between the more reform oriented Majles and the religiously dominated Guardian Council. The Council meets in created. It can also initiate legislation.

Assembly of Religious Experts

This assembly is directly elected by the Iranian people every four years. It has responsibility for interpreting the Iranian Constitution (shares this power with the Supreme Leader and the Guardian Council). All candidates must be approved by the Guardian Council. The Assembly elects and also can dismiss the Supreme Leader.

Cultural Revolution

This was carried out by the Ayatollah following the Revolution of 1979 to purify the country after the taint of the shah's rule and from western influences. The new government did not tolerate dissenting opinions and many people were executed. (very similar to Mao's Cultural Revolution in 1966)

Shiism

Today Iran is 90% Shiite. Sunnis and Shiites differ over who they recognize as Muhammed's rightful heir. Sunnis believe that the power passed down to a caliph (a leader) from among the accepted leadership of the Sunnis (in other words, its not inherited.) Shiites believe that leadership passed from Muhammed to his son-in-law, Ali, who was killed by Sunnis. After his death, Shiites believe that the power passed to his heirs: the 12 imams. One of those imams is considered "hidden"---Shiites believe he will eventually return as the Messiah. Until he does, the rulers of Iran are the true heirs of Islam.