Transcript The Islamic Republic of Iran

The Islamic Republic
of Iran
Jordan Grana
Per. 4
Brief History of Iran
• Islam was introduced to the region, formerly known as
Persia, in the 6th century AD through Muslim conquests.
• The Safavid Dynasty of the 16th Century made Twelver
Shiite Islam the main religion of the region and its been
that way since.
• Iran instituted, with both the support of the people and
the government, a constitutional monarchy in 1906.
Brief Lesson on Islam
Sunni Islam
Shiite Islam
• 80-90% of the world’s
Muslim population
• 10-20% of the world’s
Muslim population
• Believe in the Sunnah,
written record of the
prophet Muhammad's
life, and follow its
teachings.
• Believe that
Muhammad’s family
should be in charge of
Islamic community and
follow the teachings of
his known descendants,
known as Imams.
• Do not worship Imams.
History of Iran Con’t
• In 1941, Allied Forces instated Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as shah of
Iran.
• In 1953, CIA and British Intelligence forces overthrew Prime Minister
Mohammed Mossadegh, a nationalist who nationalized Iran’s oil
that had previously been manipulated by the west.
• After 1953, Pahlavi’s rule became closer to an autocracy than a
democracy. He exiled Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who returned
with the support of the people and overthrow Pahlavi in the Islamic
revolution of 1979.
• After Khomeini’s death in 1989, a new Supreme Leader was elected,
Ali Khamenei, who revised Iran’s constitution.
Multiple Power Centers:
Supreme Leader
• The Supreme Leader is the head of the Gov’t. He influences all
bodies and branches of the Iranian government, directly or
indirectly, and has the last say in every decision.
• Embodiment of Velayat-e faghih
• Current leader is Ali Khameini (1989-present)
Some Powers Include
• Appoints Head of Judiciary.
• Appoints 6 ulema members of Council of Guardians.
• Commander of all Military Forces.
• Declare/undeclare war.
• Director of Public Media Control
Multiple Power Centers:
President
• The President functions underneath
the leader and handles all of the
other duties a state needs to function
properly.
• Powers Include
• Elects politicians to the council of
ministers. (approved by parliament)
• Signs bills into law
• Presents budget to parliament
• Sign treaties and negotiations with
other nations
• Presidential Cabinet
• Consists of ministry leaders chosen
by President and other important
politicians, also chosen by President.
Multiple Power Centers: Majles
(Parliament)
• 290 Members
• Term Length: Four Years
• Universal elections every four years.
• Citizens of particular province for candidates from their
province.
• Must be Muslim.
• Presided over by President.
Multiple Power Centers:
Judiciary
• Judges elected by Leader and confirmed by parliament.
• Judges serve as jury, prosecutor and arbiter in all court cases
except for a few exceptions described in constitution, typically
cases dealing with federal law.
Other Important Power
Centers of Iranian Government
• Assembly of Experts: 86 members of the ulema elected by the people.
• Council of Guardians: 6 members of the ulema appointed by the Leader
and 6 Muslim lawyers (appointed by the Head of the Judiciary, who
himself is appointed by the Leader
• Expediency Council: Government agency of 31 government officials
(appointed by Leaders, typically high-ranking ulema, military officers,
etc.) appointed by the Leader to settle disputes between Parliament and
Council of Guardians “in the interest of the regime”.
• Basij: Volunteer militia of young Iranian men who are commanded by
the clergy and often function as a secret police for the Iranian
government.
• Voice and Vision: Unique government agency in charge of censoring all
forms of media. Its Head is elected by the Leader.
• Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: A “second army” that stands
alongside the Regular Military of Iran. The special purpose of this army
is to “safeguard and progress the goals of the Islamic Revolution”.
• Ulema: Upper class of Iran; Islamic scholars.
Elections in Iran
• Elections in Iran are “universal”.
• Recently, specifically during the 2009 Presidential elections,
accusations of electoral fraud have been thrown at the Iranian
Gov’t.
• Difficult for Reformists to gain power; most have no faith in
elections.
• Iranian politicians currently in power control government
through “unelected” positions.
Political Parties
Reformists
The Green
Path of
Hope
Women’s
Rights
Islamic
Association
of Women
Conservatives
Alliance of
Builders of
Islamic Iran
Iranian Economy
• Iran is a Rentier State. This is part of what allows its
government to function with as little legitimacy as it does.
• Iranian economy is moving away from an old, centrally
planned-economy (fascism) towards a new free-market, as
evidenced in Constitutional Revision of 1989.
Political Culture
• Iran’s political culture is one fashioned out
of war, paranoia and suspicion by
combination of religion
and history.
• Iran’s history also creates strong
anti-western sentiment among
its people.
Political Socialization
• Media is entirely controlled by the government and promotes
Sharia/whatever the government wants.
• Some universities are controlled by the government, others
are liberal citadels of intellect, refuges for Iranians seeking
change.
• Basij enforces al Islamic morals
in day-to-day life situations.
• 82% of Iranians describe
themselves as “religious”
Iran Today
• Iran constantly pushes the issue of its Nuclear Sovereignty in
the UN and international community
• Faces much civil and student unrest in the face of
globalization.
• Look at Daneshfar for an example of what the modern, urbane
Iranian thinks and feels.