AP Comparative Government Iran Test

What type of Government is Iran considered to be?

Iran is an Authoritarian form of government.

What is contradicting about Iran and their elections?

Iran has regular "democratic" elections.

What were some reasons as to why Mahmud Ahmadinejad won the 2005 elections?

His oppositions was split up between conservatives and reformers (reformers were in there own split up)

A large portion of the electorate abstained to voting at all

He mobilized veterans of the Iraqi War (1980-1989)

He promised to distribute oil revenues among the poor

He wished to cut down the power of the ruling elite individuals

He also argued to stand up against American demands

What were some reasons as to why Muhammad Khatami won the 1997 elections?

He ran on a liberal ticket promising reform to economy

Wanted to establish "dialogue" with the West

Nourished civil society (many of his voters were women, and students)

By how much did Khatami win the elections?

He won nearly 70% of the votes of some 80% of people that were participating.

How does Iran rule? (What is there base for governing)?

Iran rules like a theocracy (based off of Shari'a)

What is the Majles, and what do they do?

The Majles is basically the Iranian version of parliament.

They are Directly elected every 4 years.

Have 290 members.

Allowed to pass laws (must be checked by the Gaurdians)

Can impeach cabinet members.

Can withhold budgets.

Have full immunity!!!

What government "entity" has the most power in the Iranian government?

The Supreme Leader (Known to everybody outside of the west as only the leader) possesses most if not all of the ruling power

What was written in the Iranian constitution different from others and yet is not a reality?

The Iranian constitution basically stated that that document could not be changed until judgement day or when the new messiah appeared, yet if the Majles obtains 2/3 of the votes, they are allowed to make an alteration to the constitution.

Where do most of Iran's people live?

67% of Iranian citizens live on 27% of the land (Close to the Caspian Sea)

How did Iran avoid a bad economy when their soil was passed ruined?

Due to the amount of Oil in the region, Iran has been able to bring in a huge amount of revenues (yet this is their only economic savior!!!)

In 2008, Iran made $30 billion on oil revenues.

Iran is the 2nd largest oil producer in the Middle East and 4th largest in the world.

What is the literacy rate for the Iranians?

80% of Iran's citizens are literate

What are the language statistics for Iran's citizens?

51% of citizens speak Farsi (Persian)

26% speak Turkic

8% speak Gilaki

7% speak Kurdish

AND 3% SPEAK ARABIC

What was the official name of Iran before they changed it?

Iran decided to change their name to Iran from Persia

Who was the Safavid family and what did they do?

They lasted until 1722

Changed 90% of Sunni's to Shi'ism

They basically played as the form of government in Iran, though they were small and often times had to work along side the other workers.

Revived the Shah or King as the sole leader of Iran.

Technically controled Iran for 200 years, they possessed very little power.

Who are the Zoroastrians?

They were the decendants of Iran that maintained their old religion.

How did the Safavid's feel about other religous minorities

They allowed them to stay as long as they paid specific taxes and accepted a Shi'ite leader.

They also respected christians, jews, and Zoroastrians because they each had their holy texts; the bible, the Torah, and the Auesta respectively.

Who were the Qajars and what did they do?

They took over in 1794 and ended in 1925.

They ruled in the same type of government as the Safavids, though, they did not claim direct lineage to the Imams which cost them in the end.

They moved the capital to Tehran.

Responsible for allowing European powers to take control of Iran's economy. (lead to constitution revolution)

How violent has Iran been as a country?

Iran has never attacked a single country yet it has been invaded 12 times.

How did the constitutional revolution (1905-1909) come to be?

Britain owned much of the oil in Iran and therefore Iran's shaw owed a large sum to Europe. The people felt that the shaw was actually being worse for the country.

Why did the shaw decide to make a constitution?

In 1906, 14,000 people striked against the shaw and even his own men and they all asked for the writing of a new constitution.

What types of things did the new constitution promise?

The shas new constitution promised seats to be held in the Majles for minorities.

Though only Shi'ites could hold cabinet positions.

Who were the Pahlavi's?

They appeared in 1925 until 1979 with General Reza Kahn as a "prince on a white horse"

How did the Majles feel about the change on political power from the Qajars to the Pahlavis?

They did not care whatsoever about the change in power.

What happened with Reza Kahn and who took his place?

He was very sick with cancer so he left and placed his son in charge instead and the US supported these actions.

What expansions were made during the Pahlavi administration?

Many expansions were done throughout all boards of places.

The Pahlavi Foundation owned $3 billion and 207 companies.

They also claimed the Resurgence Party to be the only legitimate party.

Who removed the Pahlavi regime?

Allahtolla Khomeini (through the claim of Islamic Fundamentalism) used convincing the people that he had the right to serve. He used jurist's Gaurdianship to claim his rightful place to hold power over all.

What was the Islamic Republic?

Lasted from 1979 to 2001.

97% of Iranians supported this system.

The new constitution was drafted in 1979 by the Assembly of Religious Experts.

Who were the Hezbollahis?

They were "club weilding vigilantes" that threatened voters.

Who are the Hojat al-Islams

They are middle ranking Iranian clerics.

What happened on February 11, 1979?

Iranian strikers broke into the army barracks and they fought against the last of the Shah's army. And they also broke into the national radio system and told the world that Iran was now the voice of the Islamic Revolution.

Who was Bazargan?

Bazargan (Iran's 1st PM) wanted a more french style constitution to be ratified but Khomeini did not support that so he had attacks on the US embassy and massive protests there until they, as well as Bazargan, resigned.

Why did the clerics hold so much power in Iran?

1st, Many could not go against Khomeini's amazing charisma and popularity.

2nd, The Iraqi War also strengthened the Iranian people to seek retreat behind Khomeini.

3rd, International Petrolium prices shot up

Why was the second decade after the revolution harder than the 1st?

The death of Khomeini was tragic in 1989 and his successor, Ali Khamenei, did not possess the charisma that Khomeini did and also his religous experience was truly questioned.

Also, the UN ceased fire in the Iran-Iraq war so people were not united anymore.

Also, oil prices dropped to 1/3 of what they used to be.

Finally, the dissiples separated into liberal and conservatives.

What effect did the 9/11 attack have on Iran?

Iran was hit HARD with the attack, they became immediately closened to the US because they both shared a common enemy. They even set up a pro-american government in Iraq and aided the capture of terrorists in Afghanistan.

What treaty did Iran propose to US and how did US react?

In 2003, Iran proposed the "Grand Bargain" which effectively united Iran and US and also talked about the nuclear facilities in Iran. George W Bush, in his "Axis of Evil" speech denounced the bargain and claimed Iran to be a terrorist country that could not be trusted.

Why are the ideals of democracy and Shari'a such at odds?

Because the 2 main arguments of democracy is ALL people ar equal and also that people are free to choose their own religion.

What did Iran do in 2002 to attract foreign investors?

Iran passes laws selling large sums of shares to foreign investors and promised them that they need not worry about the government getting in their way with oil.

In the 19th century, who were the largest traders with Iran?

Russia and Britain made up 83% of the foreign trade. 10% with Germany and france and then 7% with the Middle East.

How important was oil to Iran's economy?

Oil was 90% of imports and 80% of annual budget.

What is a Rentier State?

It is a country that obtains a lucrative income by exporting raw materials or leasing out natural resources to foreign companies.

How was it living under the son of Reza during his 1st term?

He established democratic elements like freedom of press, independent judiciary and competetive elections.

Why was Muhammad forced to change his democratic ways?

He was coerced by the Tudeh (Commies) and the National Front (Mossaddeq)

How did the US aid in the government in Iran?

Mosaddeq had won power over the Shah so the US's CIA pulled some strings and overthrew Mosaddeq and then returned the Shah.

What were some good things that the Pahlavis did?

They established a current judicial system, they also created a large amry that is still in use today.

What did Khomeini;s constitution do?

Created a theocracy with democratic elements.

Gave the supreme leader absolute power (Islamic justification and Maslahat).

All laws are based on Islam.

Abolished the prime minister position.

Judges must use Islamic principles to guide their decisions.

Institutionalized the Expediency Council.

Is there a president in Iran and what does he do?

Popularily elected through 50% of the vote.

Current president (2013) is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

He is also the 1st non-clerical president.

Must be Shi'ite.

Limited to only 2, 4 year terms.

Can propose legislation.

Conducts foreign affairs.

Appoints mayors and governors.

Has full power to control the economy.

What is the Iranian judicial branch like?

All members are appointed by the supreme leader.

All laws must be based on Islam

Who is the Gaurdian Council and what do they do?

There are 12 members (6 directly appointed and 6 through judge)

Power to veto bills by the Majles

Has power to review cadidates to the presidential office.

Who are the Assembly of Religious Experts?

There are 86 popularily elected members that serve 4 year terms and elect the supreme leader.

Have the power to REMOVE the supreme leader.

They also must basically be clerics as well.

Who are the Expediency Council and what do they do?

They are basically the middle man between the Majles and the Guardian Council.

Has 32 members (all appointed by the supreme leader)

Answerable only to the supreme leader.

What are some concerns for Iran's future?

There is a large portion of young people that want change.

Women want equality.

The relationship with the US is struggling.

High Unemployment

Economy is not diversified

What percentage of Women are in the government?

4.1% of women are in the lower house and 9.4% are at minesterial level.

What is the religious make up of Iran?

89% are Shi'ite

10% are Sunni

1% are Others (Jews etc...)

What 2 things lead to the revolutionary crisis?

10% decline in oil prices and also, a 20% rise in consumer prices.

Who are the baazaris?

They are a smaller group of terrorist criminals.