Iran Lecture Notes Review

Flashcards reviewing key vocabulary, people, and groups from lecture notes on Iran.

Theocratic State

A state where religious leaders rule the country, deriving legitimacy from tradition and religion.

Dual Rule System (Iran)

A system with both religious clerics and elected officials, where clerics hold the most power and elected officials have limited policy-making authority.

Clerics (in Iranian context)

Religious leaders holding the most power in Iran's dual rule system.

Clientelism

The practice of political groups or figures providing benefits in exchange for political support.

Brain Drain

The emigration of skilled workers, professionals, and technicians from one country to another.

Sharia Law

Legal code derived from Islamic scripts, including the Quran and Hadith.

Jurist’s Guardianship (Velayat-e Faghih)

The concept developed by Khomeini where Faquih (Islamic jurist) rules on behalf of the hidden Imam, ensuring the government rules based on Islamic values.

Bazaari

Traders in Iran’s traditional markets.

SAVAK

State secret police under Mohammed Reza Pahlavi known for human rights violations.

1979 Revolution of Iran

The 1979 revolution led by Khomeini and his supporters, which established the modern Islamic Republic of Iran.

Green Movement (2009)

Protests led by Mir Houssein Mousavi supporters due to the fraudulent election of Ahmadinejad in 2009.

Guardian Council

One of Iran’s religious institutions; can veto laws passed by Majles and ban candidates.

Majles

Iran’s parliament, one of the three secular parts of Iran’s government.

Expediency Council

Secular institution that moderates disputes between the Guardian Council and Majles.

Jaish-Ul-Adl (JUA)

Baluchi Sunni Islamist separatist organization designated as a terrorist group by the U.S.

Revolutionary Guards

A powerful military/paramilitary force in Iran that defends the regime and operates as a large economic force.

Basij

Paramilitary volunteer militia force established during the Iran-Iraq war, part of the Revolutionary Guards, and acts as the morality police.

Bonyads

Organizations originally established for charitable services that have grown powerful with a lack of transparency.

Multimember District (MMD)

A system where more than one representative is elected from a district; citizens can vote for the same number of candidates as seats available.