Iran Test

Iran Civil Society

- Shia dominant

- Ethnic Persian majority but ethnically diverse

Religous Social Cleavages

- Shia vs Sunni

- Shia vs Persian Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians

Traditional religous groups are allowed in Iran IF...

they aren't viewed as threat to the regime

Ethnic Social Cleavages

- Persians vs Kurds, Arabs, Azeris

Social Class Cleavages

- Elite vs Poor (sanctions)

- Urban vs Rural (Tehran favored by the state compared to villages)

Bonyads

"foundations" in Iran that act like NGO's (Non-Government Organizations ex: Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders)

T or F? The Iranian government heavily restricts interest and social groups.

True

Ethnicities that have issues with the government:

- Kurds (want to be unified with Kurdistan)

- Azeris (some are loyal to Azerbijan)

What are the 5 Majiles seats reserved for religous minorities?

- 3 Christians (2 Armenians, 1 Assyrian)

- 1 Persian Jew

- 1 Zoroastrian

What is the point of having 5 Majiles seats reserved for religous minorities?

Legitimacy

Sunnis in Iran:

- 10% of Iran population

- Must abide by ralayate-e-faqih

- Few institutions treat Sunnis fairly

Positives of being a woman in Iran:

- can vote

- can run for Majiles (currently 16)

- can serve as cabinet members and in civil service positions

- strong presence in the workforce

- can attend university (more women attend college than men)

Restrictions of being a woman in Iran:

- can't serve in theocratic positons

- realistically cant run for president

- frequent victims of gender violence

- strict dress code

- limits on social events that they can attend

- even though they can go to university, their options for majors are restricted

T or F? Contraceptives are not compliant with Sharia Law.

False - Contraceptives ARE compliant with Sharia Law

2017-2019 Hijab Law + Protests

women publically removed their head scarves to protest them being mandatory (legitimacy)

Education in Iran:

- students are seperated by gender

- they have a strong university system

- high literacy rate

Brain Drain

the best and brightest often leave Iran

Theocracy

A government controlled by religious leaders

How many members are in the Assembly of Religious Experts?

86 member

T or F? All of the members of the Assembly of Religious Experts are men, and almost all of them are Ayatollahs.

True

How are the Assembly of Religious Experts members chosen?

They are elected directly by the people

How long are the Assembly of Religious Experts members' terms?

8 years

Who approves members of the Assembly of Religious Experts?

The Gaurdian Council

Who is the head of the Iranian government?

The President

Is the president elected or chosen?

Elected in a majoritarian ballot for a 4-year term

The president can only serve __ terms consecutively.

2

Constitutional requirements for the president:

- Must be Shiite

- Must uphold Islamic principles

President's duties:

- conduct foreign policy

- oversees civil service

Who decides who can run for president?

The Guardian Council

When was the Islamic Republic of Iran established?

Established in 1979 after transitioning from an authoritarian regime

Who ran the previous authoritarian gov?

Shah Pahlavi

What type of regime did the Shah run?

He ran a corrupt regime known for silencing opposition, hoarding wealth, and being friendly with the West

Who became the leader of the new republic?

Ayatollah Khomeini

Velayate-e-Faqih

The rationale for theocracy used by Khomeini: basically, the religious leaders know best, so trust them to govern you

Supreme Leader

- Theocratic Leader

- Head of State + most powerful position according to the constitution

- serves for life

Who chooses the Supreme Leader?

Assembly of Religious Experts

Supreme Leader's key powers:

- sets political agenda

- serves as commander in cheif

- appoints members of the Expediency Council

- appoints 1/2 of the Guardian Council

- appoints justices to the court

How many members are there on the Guardian Council?

12 members (6 chosen by the Supreme Leader, 6 Majles)

Guardian Council member terms?

6 years

Guardian Council key powers:

- reviews bills passed by Majles to ensure they conform to Sharia Law

- vets candidates who can run for office

Decreased trust in the election system leads to...

lower voter efficacy

Does Iran have meaningful elections?

Yes (to an extent)

Institutions that are popularly elected:

- president

- assembly of religious experts

- majles

Majles:

- unicameral legislature

- 4-year terms

- 290 seats (represent 207 districts)

Legal System

- based on Sharia Law

- no judicial review

Sharia:

- Islamic law based on the Quran

- Sharia is above all other laws

Expediancy Council

appointed by Sup Leader; resolves disputes over Majles and Guardian Council

IRGC

- according to the constitution protects the republic

- upholds values of revolution and theocracy

- stops any resistance against gov

- sometimes used as special forces

The Green Movement

When Iranians protested against the elections after Ahmadinejad won with 63% of the vote

Irans Economy

- oil-dependent

- classified as a rentier state

- member of OPEC

The Nuclear Deal (2015)

Iran had to limit its nuclear program and permit heavy inspections in exchange for economic sanctions being lifted