IRAN Flashcards
Word #1
Submission
Legitimacy
All 3 together - a bit shaded together legitimacy types
Word #2
Synthesis
Word #3
Duality
Zoroastroianism
struggle between good and evil / truth and lies
The First Synthesis
The fusion of Zoroastrianism and imperial politics fostered a bureaucratic government style (positive rule, not forceful)
BIG Change / Second Synthesis
Change: Arab conquest of Persia caused the decline of Zoroastrianism
SS: Islam was not crazy because Persians were used to monotheism, but the big culture shock was the reliance on religious leaders, not shahs
OVERALL: Intro. to Islam
Comparative Corner
Both Iranians and Russians “submit” to authority and authoritarian strength
Reza Shah Pahlavi (Pahlavi Dynasty)
- focused on the previous Persia before the Arabic transformation
- changed name to Iran in 1935
- industrial reform; first railroad system
- constitutional monarchy
- military; iron fisted
- questions of legitimacy
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi - “The Shah”
- took the throne in 1941
- Secular
Operation Ajax
- UK and US covert forces staged a coup against Iran PM since they were concerned that he was too communist leaning
- Ensured Western control of Iran’s [petroleum] (stopped USSR from competing for it)
Operation AJAX Concerns
Shah’s regime was full of corruption and political prisoners, and that was the person the Western World was supporting - not real legitimacy
Ayatollah
ranking title in Islamic world for those proficient in Islamic studies - Shi’ah restrictions
Ruhollah Khomeini
The leader of the Shah opposition who returned from exile in France to lead the Iranian Revolution
Iran Revolution Basics
Ayatollah Khomeini’s supporters overturned the Shah’s power and was successful since the military was not 100% loyal to Shah
Iran Revolution Significance
Iranians approved a nation referendum where Iran became an Islamic Republic (Theocracy)
Fate of the Shah
Was not in Iran during the Revolution but only found safety in Egypt since no country wanted to foster him. The “friendships” with the US slowly died. He died.
Iran Iraq War
- Iraq invaded Iran because of border disputes
- no one benefitted and it was not worth the death for the outcome
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
2nd Supreme Leader
- was President until Khomeini’s death
- Muslim cleric
Supreme Leader
- both executive and judiciary powers
- he is the link between the other branches
- lifetime appointment
-unelected
POWERS:
- “determine the interests of Islam”
- can dismiss elected President
- directs TV
- appoints a lot of people
Guardianship of the Jurist
not a democracy, but designed to embrace the will of Allah (to be the will of the people but ALSO the will of Allah)
- Khomeini expanded this guardianship
Expediency Discernment Council
- advisory council to the S.L.
- picked by the S.L every 5 years
- currently 35 members
- meets in secret to initiate legislation and resolve conflicts between the elected Majlis and unelected Guardian Council
Elected Government
- President
- Majlis (Legislation)
- Assembly of Religious Experts
Unelected Government
- Supreme Leader
- Expediency Council
- Guardian Council
- Judiciary
- Cabinet
-Bonyads
-Revolutionary Guard (Military)
Guardian Council
- 12 member council
- 6 year term, system where half is changed every 3 years
- interprets the Islamic constitution
- Approves/vetos Majlis legislation
- Approves candidates for elected office
“Guards the Islamic Constitution in Government”
Guardian Council (Membership Requirements)
6 must be faqihs (experts on Islamic Law appointed by S.L.) and 6 must be elected by Majlis after Chief Justice recommendation
Bonyads
Charitable religious organizations (tax exempt)
- massive employer that has extensive policy influence
- directors appointed by S.L.
- take donations and do shady stuff with it
- “helps the regime, not the poor”
- corruption and spoils system
President
-Head of Government
- 4 year term, 2 term max
- appoints VP and Cabinet
- must be approved by S.L. and the Guardian Council
- Supervises the economy
- proposes legislation and budgets
- appoints governors and mayors
- must be Iranian born and nationality
- good clean record
- APPROVED
Council of Ministers (Cabinet)
selected by the President with legislative approval
- S.L. has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries
Majlis (Islamic Parliament)
- 290 members
- unicameral
- 4 year term, no term limit
- enacts secular law
- approves/removes cabinet
- appoints half of Guardian Council
- can approve budgets and treaties
- NOT INDEPENDENT
