Theocratic State: Iran is ruled by religious leaders, deriving its legitimacy from tradition and religion.
Unitary State: Similar to China, power is centralized.
Authoritarianism: Like China, Iran exhibits authoritarian characteristics.
Dual Rule System:
Clerics (religious leaders) hold the most power.
Elected officials have limited policy-making authority.
Unicameral Legislature: Iran has a single legislative chamber.
Major Cleavage: The primary political division is between reformists and conservatives.
Rentier State: Iran's economy is heavily reliant on resource rents, primarily from oil.
Clientelism:
Historically rooted in Ancient Persia.
Involves political groups providing benefits in exchange for political support.
Imperialism in the 19th Century:
Russia and Great Britain exerted influence over Persia after the discovery of oil.
Persia was never formally colonized but became economically dependent.
Key resources were provided in exchange for military support.
This weakened Persian sovereignty and reduced its territory.
Brain Drain:
Migration due to globalization, political instability, and limited opportunities.
Judicial Review:
Exists but is weak due to the dominance of theocracy and Sharia Law.
Sharia Law: Legal code derived from Islamic scriptures (Quran and Hadith).
Jurist’s Guardianship (Velayat-e Faqih):
Developed by Khomeini.
Faquih (Islamic jurist) rules on behalf of the hidden Imam.
Shiites believe Imam Mahdi is hidden and will reappear to bring justice.
Clerical rule ensures the government adheres to Islamic values.
Issues:
Inflation
Women’s rights
Economic sanctions from Western powers (due to nuclear program concerns and human rights violations).
Voter turnout
Corruption
Limited civil society
Drug trafficking (bordering Afghanistan, a major opium producer; Iran is a major opium consumer).
Provinces:
31 provinces with limited power, despite constitutional provisions.
Each has a capital city, usually the largest in the area.
Economic Dissatisfaction: A 2019 poll indicated that 73% of Iranians viewed the economy as bad.
Political Parties:
Many parties exist, often centered around individuals.
Parties are generally weak.
Rule of Law & Political Efficacy: Both are weak.
Media Restrictions: Media and press are restricted.
Social Media Usage: Approximately 45 million Iranians have social media accounts.
Women's Status: Opportunities have improved marginally but remain restricted.
Economic Growth: Current economy shows signs of growth but faces challenges.
Key Leadership:
Supreme Leader: Head of State (HOS), holds the most power.
President: Head of Government (HOG).
2. Key People
Reza Shah Pahlavi (1925-1941):
First Shah of Iran (renamed in 1935) and founder of the Pahlavi dynasty.
Father of Mohammed Reza Pahlavi.
Increased the central army, expanded bureaucracy, and consolidated control.
Expanded Iran's economy, agriculture, and infrastructure but became increasingly authoritarian.
Abdicated the throne due to pressure from Allied powers (British and Soviet forces) during WWII due to pro-German sympathies and lived in exile.
Mohammed Reza Pahlavi (1941-1979):
Son of Reza Shah Pahlavi, succeeded him after his abdication.
Maintained friendly relations with Western powers.
Launched social/political reforms and modernization, including support for higher education.
Policies favored larger enterprises, foreign investors over domestic, and urban interests over rural.
HDI increased, as did GINI coefficient, indicating rising inequality.
Bazaari:
Migration of rural workers threatened traditional traders in Iran’s Bazaars (markets).
Sales opportunities decreased for Bazaaris.
Secularity:
Reduced the role of Islamic law, leading to opposition in the theocratic state.
SAVAK: State secret police that violated human rights through torture and executions.
SAVAK was the most feared arm of his increasingly authoritarian regime.
Due to opposition, he changed his PM but it wasn't enough. He went into “temporary” exile and never returned, ending his regime.
Mohammed Mosaddegh (1951-1953):
Former prime minister who sought to nationalize the oil industry.
Ousted in a coup backed by the U.S. and U.K.
The U.S. and Soviet Union were competing to spread their ideologies during the Cold War, and nationalizing the oil industry was seen favoring communism.
The U.S. also sought to maintain control of oil resources.
After his overthrow, the U.S. provided Iran with substantial aid, strengthening Iran’s military in the Middle East.
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (1979-1989):
Former and first Supreme Leader of Iran; Islamic revolutionary, charismatic.
Major opposition leader to Mohammed Reza Shah.
Opposed westernization, secularism, economic disparities, and authoritarian rule.
Jailed in 1963, exiled to Iraq/France in 1964.
In January 1978, the government published an article attacking him, leading to widespread protests.
After the Shah's PM was removed, he appointed his own PM.
The 1979 Revolution of Iran occurred when Khomeini and his supporters invaded prisons, police stations, military bases, etc.
Many were killed over two days, and Khomeini established the modern Islamic Republic of Iran.
After the revolution, he called for an early referendum on the new republic.
Adopted a new constitution in 1979 based on Jurist's Guardianship (Velayat-e Faqih).
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad:
Former president.
In 2009, his reelection was controversial; his poor performance in a TV debate was followed by results showing him winning 62% of the vote, widely seen as fraudulent.
This angered the second candidate, Mir-Hossein Mousavi, and his supporters.
Mir Houssein Mousavi:
Ahmadinejad's opponent in the 2009 election.
Led the 2009 Green Movement (protests against the fraudulent election).
Called his supporters to protest, leading to over a million marching through Tehran streets within a day.
Twitter & Facebook were used for communication.
The largest demonstration after the 1979 revolution.
Hassan Rouhani: Former president, a reformist.
Ebrahim Raisi: Current president.
Ali Khamenei: Current Supreme Leader, has a Facebook account.
3. Key Groups/Government Positions
Guardian Council:
Religious institution.
In 2017, declared non-Muslims could not run for office in regions with Muslim majorities.
Can veto laws passed by Majles (parliament).
Makes elections unfair by banning thousands of candidates (Majles and presidential).
The most influential body in Iran.
Majles:
Iran’s parliament.
One of the three secular parts of Iran’s government.
Passed a law in 2018 giving religious minorities the right to be candidates for local offices.
Expediency Council:
Secular body.
Moderates disputes between the Guardian Council (religious) and Majles (secular).
President:
Secular position.
Can veto legislation (Majles can override).
Implements government policies, grants pardons, etc.
Jaish-Ul-Adl (JUA):
The Army of Justice.
Baluchi Sunni Islamist separatist organization.
Listed as a terrorist group by the U.S. due to tactics, including kidnap, assassination, car bombs, and landmines.
Their goal is to preserve Islamic principles and values in society.
Javid Dehghan was accused of being a JUA leader and convicted of killing 2 members of the elite Military force.
Amnesty International claims he was tortured for confessions, and the U.N. human rights office requested a review of the trial, but the Iranian government executed him.
Revolutionary Guards:
A powerful military/paramilitary force.
Defends the Iranian regime, separate from Iran’s conventional military.
A large economic force in Iran.
Basij:
A paramilitary volunteer militia force established during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.
Part of the Revolutionary Guards.
Act as morality police, enforcing hijab usage, etc.
Bonyads:
“Charity” organizations.
Originally established for charitable services but grew powerful and influence various sectors, including manufacturing, finance, and real estate.
Criticized for their lack of transparency and accountability in operations.
Not as large of an economic force as the Revolutionary Guards.
Ministry of Intelligence: Intelligence agency monitors Sunnis with local militias.
Ministry of Education: Oversees education systems, considers attempts to convert Shiite Muslims to other religions a criminal offense.
Baháʼí: A minority religion in Iran.
4. Elections/Appointment Process
Iran allows limited but competitive elections.
Majles (Secular, Elected):
290 members, elected through a mix of SMD and Multimember District (MMD).
Multimember District (MMD):
A system where more than one representative is elected from a district.
Citizens can vote for as many candidates as seats available (e.g., 30 seats = 30 votes).
Iran is the only country besides Mexico (mixed system) to use this in AP Comparative Government.
It’s a plurality system.
Candidates winning 25% of votes are awarded a seat.
Runoff elections occur within MMD for remaining seats between the top two candidates.
Religious minorities are guaranteed some representation.
Elections are held every 4 years but have never been entirely fair due to the Guardian Council.
President (Secular, Elected):
Two-round system (runoff).
If one wins a majority of votes in the first round, they are declared the winner.
This is used to put a mandate (broad support) on the candidate to carry out proposed policies.
4-year term, 2 consecutive terms allowed.
Cabinet (Secular):
Appointed by the president, approved by Majles.
Can be dismissed by the president, no fixed term limit.
Assembly of Experts (Religious, Elected):
Also mixes SMD & MMD.
8-year terms.
Supreme Leader (Religious):
Appointed by the Assembly of Experts clerics; can also be removed by them.
Serves lifetime, unless removed by the Assembly of Experts.
Guardian Council (Religious):
Appointed by the Supreme Leader.
Phased 6-year terms; half the membership changes every three years.
Expediency Council (Secular):
Appointed by the Supreme Leader.
Renewable 5-year term.
Armed Forces:
Appointed by the Supreme Leader.
Term limit varies.
Head of Judiciary:
Appointed by the Supreme Leader.
5-year terms, renewed once. 5 year terms, renewed once. ("5 year terms, renewed once")