Iran review

Qanun laws

(not sacred/ from Majiles) - the people's laws - no sacred bias - statues passed by Majiles

Shari'a laws

(sacred/religious) considered foundation of all islamic civilization - ultimate authority in shari'a laws (difficult to interpret) - supreme leader authority and jurist guardianianship based on importance of shari'a

Characteristics of regime

- Sharia laws, rulings and laws interpreted by religious clerics - tightly controlled media - political candidates vetted by the guardian council - supreme leader rules without transparency - citizens can vote but limited choices

Explain how internal actors influence and interact with state authority and either enhance or threaten stability within Iran

- some region wide movements to improve rights for women but still very strict - protested after elections put down harshly - no/little outlet to channel complaints -> threatens stability

Causes of the Iranian Revolution

1. Shah created strong ties with the US and the western world 2. shah perceived as totalitarian 3. the imbalance between secular and religious state

oil industry _____% government owned

100

Elections

18+ assembly of religious experts, president(narrow to top two then >50%) and Majiles (MMD)

Majiles

290 seats, multi-member districts - 5 guaranteed seats for recognized religious minorities - non recognized religious minorities cannot serve in Majiles Functions: enact/change laws w/ guardian council approval approve/appoint 6 of 12 guardian council members approve budget, cabinet appointments, treaties, and loans investigate cabinet ministers and public complaints against executive and judiciary

Assembly of Religious Experts

86-man assembly of clerics (8year term)elected directly by the people; selects the Supreme Leader; has the right to dismiss Supreme Leader

Green Movement of 2009

After Ahmadinejad won the election despite the polls saying the reformist leader had a higher support. Reformists poured into the streets, calling for the results to be annulled. Around 20 people died per the state-controlled media, but many believe that this number is higher.

Explain whether Iran has a pluralist or corporatist interest group system

Corporatist system few interest groups with some/minimal influence

Describe Iran's nation

Ethnicity: 51% Persian, 24% Azeri,(worry will leave) 7% Kurds, 3% Arab, 8% Gilaki and Mazandarani

Impact of Industrialization and Economic Development

Iran rapidly industrialized under Pahlavi dynasty in 1960-70s did not truly diversify its econ still heavily dependent upon oil.

Explain how international and supranational organizations influence Iran's domestic policymakers and its national sovereignty

Member of WTO, UN, IMF UN monitors Iran's nuclear weapon program, and criticized human rights violations.

Bonyads

Parastatal foundations made in part from assets nationalized after the Iranian Revolution

Present-day Iran within an area that was known as

Persia

two types of laws:

Qanun and Shari'a

Guardian Council

Represent theocratic principles within government - 12 members, 6 year terms, 6 appointed by supreme leader, 6 - nominated by chief justice approved by Majiles - power to decide who can compete in elections - review bills passed by Majiles

Sources of power

Shia Islam religion Theoctactic based constitution of 1979 Supreme leader

Describe Iran's regime of government

Theocratic: constitution requires the head of state/supreme leader to be Shi'a Athuroratarianism: supreme leader controls guiding policies and limits competition for govt positions, national elections though

Describe Iran's type of government

Unitary system all power resided in national government and supreme leader+clerics > prevents rebellion and concentrates power in theocratic regime

Women and me are treated equally in...

access to education, including university can vote can drive

changes driven by

better-educated, middle-class, women

the supreme leader may be impeached by..

by assembly of religious experts

Women and me are treated unequally in...

clothing restrictions cannot be president, supreme leader, on guardian council, or appointed as a judge testimony not equal to man's adultery punishment more strict for women can not attend sporting events restrictions on university degrees travel restrictions unequal inheritance laws

reformers v. conservatives

conservatives keep regime under control of clerics/sharia law reformers want more secularization and democracy

Explain how globalization creates challenges to Iran's regime sovereignty

cultures and ideas of US "the great satan" US sanctions have driven away investment, difficult to sell oil in international markets

president is the highest official representing...

democratic principles

supreme leader powers:

dismiss president vet/eliminate pres candidates command armed forces, declare war and peace nominates 6 members of guardian council appoint/remove major judges/administrators appoint many non-gov directers

Iranian constitution of 1979

document and 40 amendments, mix of theocracy and democracy -> gave power to supreme leader

Presidential Powers

executes policies proposes legislation to Majiles devises budget signs treaties/laws into agreement cannot veto leg appoints ambassadors chairs national security council selects deputies/ cabinet

supreme court and guardian council have___ say regarding interpretation of law.

final

Sources of legitimacy:

god/allah divine laws constitution religious texts supreme leader islamic revolution elections (pres or Majiles)

Internet

gov cracked down on media control due to its use in protests, internet most restricted in world

Corporatist System

government created and supported interest groups that become the government's preferred linkage institutions for citizen participation

Explain how global economic and technological forces influence political policies, behaviors, and culture

green revolution 2009 young Iranians sharing ideas on social media Amnesty international/ other human rights groups spoken out about human right violations

goals of econ nationalization

help disadvantaged increase state assets promote econ independence + sovereignty

econ heavily dependent on oil leading to...

high unemployment and inflation eroding pensions and savings young women hit hard "brain drain" delayed marriages low birth rate

Explain how the Iranian government maintains legitimacy

historical continuity (gov and borders) introduction of western legal system

Explain political causes and consequences of demographic changes in Iran

late 1980s: promoted contraceptives and counseling in response to high fertility rate late 2000s: fertility rate down in last decade dropped to 1.8(replacement rate=2.1) gov promoted births, restricting birth control and abortion

less taxation of public=

less need to respond to public's needs/demands( more government repression)

The supreme leader serves for...

life

Explain the extent to which civil rights and civil liberties are protected or restricted in Iran

media highly restricted protest met with suppression NGOs restricted not very protected, more restricted civil liberties

Gov's response to political protests

military, local police, and "citizen vigilante" groups to suppress and crack down on large protests that threaten the government.

Protest movements have taken place

morality police (2022) presidential elections(2009)

Describe the characteristics of the political party system and party membership

political parties not stong/longlasting factions tned to form coalitions for purpose of elections name of parties change from election to election party ID much less important than whether considered a reformer or a consertavive factions > political parties

pragmatic conservatives v. radical clerics

pragmatics favor liberal econ markets/ free markets radicals want measures that enhance social justice(welfare benefits)

Iran's presidential system

president elected by people every 4 years, must be approved candidate from guardian council

Expediency Council

referee between Majiles and Guardian council - exerts authority over 3 branches of government - appointed by supreme leader for 5 year terms

basis of Iranian revolution

religion

cleavages:

religion, ethnicity, social class, reformers v. conservatives, pragmatic conservatives v. radical clerics

Changes in power

revolution and constitution of 1979 -> created theocratic regime

Civil Society Historical Pattern...

rise of civil society when state is weak followed by crackdowns when gov regains control

lower class _____ regime

support

The judiciary branch of Iran's government is largely controlled by the

supreme leader

supreme court/ chief justices are appointed by...

supreme leader

election rules emphasize loyalty and adherence to rules of

theocratic authoritarian regime

Vilayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of Islamic Jurist)

transfers all political and religious authority to the Shia clergy and makes all of the state's key decisions subject to approval by a supreme clerical leader, the vali-e faqih (guardian Islamic jurist) - believe clerics can best determine what is right for the people

most common form of political participation is

voting

the president may be impeached by..

⅔ majile vote or can be removed by supreme leader