Transcript Iran Presentation 1 sovereignty, authority, and powerx

The Islamic Republic
of Iran
Sovereignty,
Authority, and
Power
Presentation Outline
I.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Sovereignty, Authority, and Power
state, regimes, and nations
Sovereignty
Sources of Legitimacy
Political culture
I. a) states, regime, and nations
• Like China, Iran is an
ancient state and
civilization.
• The Iranian state, formerly
known as Persia, has been
around in one form or
another for over 2500
years.
Right: Darius the Great, ruler
of the Persian Empire, 450
B.C.E
Regimes
Regimes of modern Iran/Persia
1) Qajar Dynasty, 1796-1925- authoritarian
monarchy
2) Pahlavi Dynasty, 1925-1979- authoritarian
monarchy
3) Islamic theocratic republic, 1979-presenttotalitarian theocracy
Features of the Pahlavi dynasty under
Muhammad Reza Shah
• The Shah assumed the throne
from his father in 1941
Features of his regime:
• Authoritarian
• Corruption
• Modern, Western, and
secular
• Pro-US
Authoritarian
• Although there was a
constitution and an elected
assembly, Iran was NOT a
constitutional monarchy
• Torture and arrest of political
prisoners was commonplace
• Many of these political
prisoners were Islamic
radicals opposed to the Shah’s
modernization
Corruption
• Only a small
percentage of Iran’s oil
wealth trickled down
to ordinary Iranians
• Much of the wealth
was concentrated in
the hands of an elite
who were loyal to the
Shah
• This caused resentment
Modern, Western, and Secular
• Using some of the state’s
new found wealth from oil
profits the Shah built new
roads, schools, and
universities
• Women were encouraged
to work outside the home,
attend school
• Islamic practices were
discouraged in public
Right: An Iranian film
industry emerged showing
Hollywood-like films
Pro-US
• The Shah was a close US
ally
• The US received a steady
supply of Iranian oil and a
cold war ally, while Iran
received billions of
dollars in weapons and
military aid
• The Shah also had a
strategic alliance with
Israel
Above: The Shah shaking hands
with close ally US President Jimmy
Carter
Why did the Shah’s regime fall?
1) Authoritarianism alienated the middle
classes
2) Corruption weakened the regime’s
legitimacy
3) The Shah’s Pro-US alliance and emphasis
on modernization and Westernization
alienated Iran’s Muslims
• Riots and violence broke out on the streets
of Tehran
• A power vacuum was created and the
Ayatollah Khomeini and his followers
stepped in to lead the revolution
The Islamic Republic of Iran
Established in 1979 after the
abdication of the Shah
Features:
Theocratic- laws are based on
Islamic sharia law
Totalitarian: the regime imposes
strict codes on conduct and
morality
Some democratic elements: an
elected assembly and an
elected president
Nations
Iran is a multi-ethnic state with several nations.
The Persians are largest nation in Iran, and
Farsi (Persian) is the official language
I. b) Sovereignty
Iran is a very centralized unitary state. There are
municipal but no regional or provincial level
governments.
China and the UK are also
unitary states. How do they
differ from Iran in this regard?
Challenges to Iranian sovereignty
• Rentier state status
• International sanctions on Iran
• Iran’s nuclear ambitions
Rentier state status
• Iran’s economy is heavily dependent on oil
• Most of the government’s revenue comes from
oil sales (rents)
• Declining oil prices tend to weaken the regime
and affect its domestic and foreign policy
• Iran also must import petrol from neighbouring
states as it does not have the capacity to refine
its own oil
International economic sanctions
• The international community began imposing
economic sanctions on Iran shortly after the 1979
Revolution.
• US sanctions tend to be the harshest.
• Individual states (Canada, Britain, Japan, etc.)
have also imposed separate bilateral sanctions on
Iran
• The United Nations has also imposed sanctions
on Iran dealing with nuclear technology
US Sanctions
•Ban on all trade in oil
•Complete arms(weapons)
embargo
•Ban on all trade in aircraft or
aviation technology
•Frozen assets of Iranian banks
in the USA
•Ban on all imported products
originating in Iran
UN Sanctions
•Ban on the supply of nuclear
material and related technology
•Arms (weapons) embargo
•Travel restrictions on
individuals working in the
nuclear technology field
For a more detailed list of sanctions see:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/21/us-iran-nuclear-sanctionsidUSTRE70K03O20110121
International sanctions on Iran have had a crippling effect on
Iran’s economy. Comparatively, there is little foreign direct
investment in Iran’s economy. Less investment = less economic
growth.
Source:
http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1323.aspx
Effects of Sanctions on Iran
Iran’s nuclear ambitions
• The Iranian regime is committed to developing
nuclear technology.
• According to the Iranian regime, this is for
peaceful purposes, namely to meet increasing
energy demands.
• However, the international community claims
that Iran is seeking to enrich uranium in order
to develop nuclear weapons
The International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA), a U.N. agency, regularly monitors and
inspects Iran`s nuclear program.
The Iranians view this as direct challenge to
the state`s sovereignty. There are a number of
other states which possess nuclear
technology and weapons and yet do not have
to undergo IAEA inspections and monitoring.
Other states with nuclear weapons and technology:
India, Pakistan, Israel, Russia, etc.
http://www.iaea.org/
Iran’s influence
• Membership in OPEC
• Exporting the Shi’a revolution
Membership in OPEC
Iran’s membership in
the Organization of
Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC) gives
it enormous influence
over the price and
supply of oil. When
demand for oil is high
Iran’s political and
economic influences
rises proportionally.
Exporting the Shi`a Islamic revolution
•There are many Shi`a Muslims in the
Middle East who live outside Iran`s
borders.
•Iran`s leaders sponsor and fund the
militant group Hezbollah which seeks
to establish Shi`a theocracies outside
Iran.
Right: Hezbollah militiamen in
Lebanon
I. c) Sources of Legitimacy
1) Charismatic legitimacy under the Ayatollah
Khomeini, 1979-1989
2) Traditional legitimacy: Shi’a Islam
3) Attempts at rational-legal legitimacy
• constitution
• semi-competitive elections
Charismatic Legitimacy
• The Ayatollah Khomeini
personified charismatic
legitimacy.
• His was the face of the new
regime and his followers
and supporters counted in
the millions.
• With his death in
1989,however, the regime
would have to find other
sources of legitimacy
Traditional Legitimacy
• Muslim armies invaded and
conquered Iran (Persia) in the 7th
century
• By the 9th century Iran had been
nearly completely Islamized with
over 90% of the population
converting to Shi`a Islam
• The current Iranian regime can
claim to be based on traditional
legitimacy since as a theocracy its
rule is based on centuries of
Islamic teachings and practice
Attempts at Rational-legal legitimacy
• Direct elections for the Majlis (Assembly) and
the President
• These elections are generally considered
competitive, though not always free and fair
• 1979 Constitution established a theocratic
regime with limited democratic elements
• There are guarantees for the protection of civil
liberties and rights, though these are not
necessarily always enforced
I. d) Political Culture
•
•
•
•
Shi’a Islam
Secular middle class
Authoritarianism
Ethnic politics
Shi`a Islam
• Although Iran is a multethnic state, the vast
majority (90%+) of Iranians
are Shi`a Muslims
• Shi`a Islam can be both a
unifying factor as it was in
Iran`s war with Iraq or a
source of division with
Iranian society as not all
Iranians are devout
Above: Iranian soldiers taking up
defensive positions. Iraqi leader
Sadam Hussein's attack on Iran
unified the people of Iran in
resistance the Sunni Muslim
aggressors
Secular middle class
• The middle class is nominally
Shi`a but many are not devout and
hold Western and secular values
regarding religious freedoms
• The middle class is often hostile
to and suspicious of the clerics
• The Westernized middle class is a
legacy of the Shah`s rule
• The middle class is also more
inclined to support reformist Above: middle class homes in
politicians
Tehran with illegal satellite dishes
Ethnic politics
• Although the vast majority of
Iranians share a common Shi`a
religion, many ethnic minorities
have serious grievances with the
government
The main grievances are:
• Many local schools are not
allowed to teach in the local
national language
• Neglect from Tehran which
causes above-average
unemployment
• Discrimination in applying for
government jobs
•Some minority groups such as the Azeri are
much more integrated into Iranian society and
experience comparatively less discrimination
•Generally, the Kurds, Arabs, and Baloochis have
experienced the most discontent
•The Kurds are the least integrated in Iranian
society and have frequently clashed with the
Iranian military
•The Kurds are Sunni rather than Shi`a Muslims
For further inquiry see:
http://www.cfr.org/iran/irans-ethnic-groups/p12118
Discussion Questions
1) Compare and Contrast Iran`s Islamic
revolution(1979) with China`s Cultural Revolution
(1966-1969)
2) Should Iran have the sovereign right to develop
nuclear technology. Why are some states allowed
to develop nuclear technology while others (Iran,
N.Korea) are not
3) Does Iran`s theocratic regime have enough
legitimacy to survive well into the 21st century
4) Is a theocracy incompatible with the values of a
democracy