COMP GOV - IRAN

Part 1: The Making of the Modern State

Why Study Iran?

1. Q: What makes Iran’s government unique?
   A: It is the world’s only theocratic republic, combining theocracy with democratic elements.

2. Q: What is the main ideological struggle in Iran’s development?
   A: The conflict between tradition and modernization.

Geography

3. Q: Why has Iran historically been vulnerable to invasions?
   A: It is located at the crossroads of Central Asia, Asia Minor, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Caucasus Mountains.

4. Q: How does Iran’s geography affect agriculture?
   A: Much of Iran’s territory is inhospitable to agriculture.

5. Q: How large is Iran compared to France?
   A: It is three times the size of France.

Population

6. Q: Where does most of Iran’s population live?
   A: 67% of the population lives on just 27% of the land.

7. Q: What is the primary ethnic and linguistic identity of Iran?
   A: Iran is a Persian country, not Arab, with 58% of the population speaking Farsi (Persian).

8. Q: What is the dominant religious sect in Iran?
   A: 89% of Iranians are Shi’a Muslims.

9. Q: What is a major demographic characteristic of Iran’s population?
   A: Iran has a large young population, with 23% under 13 and a median age of 33.

10. Q: How has Iran’s birthrate changed in recent years?
    A: The birthrate has slowed.

Sunni vs. Shi’a Islam

11. Q: What do Sunnis believe about leadership in Islam?
    A: Leadership should be chosen by the community based on piety, wisdom, and competence.

12. Q: Who do Shi’a Muslims believe should lead the Islamic community?
    A: Leadership should be based on direct bloodlines to Muhammad, continuing to the Twelfth Imam.

13. Q: Where is Shi’a Islam the majority?
    A: Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and possibly Lebanon.

Safavid & Qajar Dynasties

14. Q: What religious policy did the Safavid Dynasty (1501-1722) enforce?
    A: They forcibly converted their subjects to Shi’ism.

15. Q: What was the role of Imams in the Safavid Dynasty?
    A: Safavid rulers claimed to be descendants of the 12 Imams.

16. Q: What was the religious policy of the Qajar Dynasty (1794-1925)?
    A: They declared Shi’ism the state religion and gave clerics the power to interpret laws.

Introduction of Democracy

17. Q: What was the Constitutional Revolution (1905-1909)?
    A: A movement that led to the 1906 Constitution, introducing direct elections, separation of powers, and a legislature.

18. Q: What power did the legislature have under the 1906 Constitution?
    A: It had strong authority, including control over cabinet members.

19. Q: What was retained from previous rule in the 1906 Constitution?
    A: Shi’ism remained the official religion, and clerics retained some authority.

The Pahlavi Dynasty (1925-1979)

20. Q: How did Reza Shah come to power?
    A: He carried out a coup d’état in 1921 and named himself “Shah-in-Shah” in 1925.

21. Q: What did Reza Shah do to Iran’s name?
    A: He changed it from Persia to Iran.

22. Q: Who was Muhammad Reza Shah?
    A: The son of Reza Shah, who took power in 1941 and established the secret police, SAVAK.

The 1953 Coup

23. Q: Who was Muhammad Mosaddeq?
    A: Leader of the National Front, advocating for Iranian nationalism and oil nationalization.

24. Q: What led to the 1953 coup?
    A: Britain and the U.S. overthrew Mosaddeq after he nationalized British oil interests.

Rentier State & Modernization

25. Q: What is a rentier state?
    A: A state that derives significant revenue from foreign sources, such as oil exports.

26. Q: What was the White Revolution?
    A: Muhammad Reza Shah’s reform program that included land redistribution, women’s rights, and secularization.

The 1979 Revolution

27. Q: What economic factors triggered the 1979 Revolution?
    A: Oil prices dropped 10%, while consumer prices rose 20%.

28. Q: Who was the charismatic leader of the revolution?
    A: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

29. Q: What happened in April 1979?
    A: A referendum abolished the monarchy and established an Islamic Republic.

The Islamic Republic & Governance

30. Q: What is Jurist’s Guardianship?
    A: The idea that senior clerics should have ultimate authority over Iran.

31. Q: What was the significance of the 1979 Hostage Crisis?
    A: Strengthened Khomeini’s control and worsened U.S.-Iran relations.

32. Q: What was Iran’s Cultural Revolution?
    A: A campaign to remove Western influences and secularism from Iran’s institutions.

Post-Khomeini Politics

33. Q: What has defined Iranian politics since Khomeini’s death in 1989?
    A: A struggle between conservative hard-liners and reformist liberals.

34. Q: What was the Tehran Spring?
    A: A period under President Khatami (1997-2005) marked by attempts at liberal reform.

35. Q: What was the Green Movement?
    A: A political protest movement in 2009 demanding election transparency.

Governance & Policymaking

36. Q: What are the two main groups in Iran’s government?
    A: Theocratic institutions (Supreme Leader, Guardian Council) and elected officials (President, Majlis).

37. Q: Who is the most powerful political figure in Iran?
    A: The Supreme Leader.

38. Q: What power does the Guardian Council have?
    A: They can veto legislation and vet candidates for office.

39. Q: What is the role of the President?
    A: Head of Government, oversees domestic affairs, and presents the budget.

40. Q: How is the Majlis elected?
    A: Through direct elections with a two-round voting system.

41. Q: What is the role of the Revolutionary Guards?
    A: Protect the republic and control strategic weapons.

42. Q: What is the function of Bonyads?
    A: Tax-exempt charitable organizations that control large portions of the economy.