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AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS > Iran > Flashcards

Iran Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the name of the 1993 article in Foreign Affairs that predicted the 9/11 attacks?

A

“The Clash of Civilizations” by Samuel Huntington

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2
Q

Theocracy

A

Govt ruled strictly by religion

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3
Q

Secularization

A

Belief that govt and religion should be seperated

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4
Q

Achaemenian Empire/Persia

A

Iran circa 6th century BCE

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5
Q

Contrast Persia w/ Greece

A 
Persia = dry, highly centralized military leadership
Greece = divided into quarrelling city-states, sea-based economy
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6
Q

List similarities btw Iran + other 6 AP Comp Gov countries

A

Iran = only theocracy
Russia, China, Mexico, Nigeria = oil is important
Mexico, China = developing economy

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7
Q

Who founded Persia?

A

Cyrus

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8
Q

What is the significance of Persia v Greece?

A

first act of west v east drama

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9
Q

Who conquered Persia and Greece?

A

Alexander of Macedon

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10
Q

Describe Persian sovereigns

A

Hereditary military leaders: Cyrus, Darius

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11
Q

Where was the Persian capital?

A

Persepolis

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12
Q

What religion did the state of Persia sponsor?

A

Zoroastrianism

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13
Q

What precedent did the Achaemenids establish?

A

The authoritarian state

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14
Q

Shiism

A

Sect of Isalm; argued for a hereditary ruler to follow Mohammed; minority in Islamic world; support Ali/imams

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15
Q

When and by whom was Shiism established as the state religion?

A

16th century, Safavids

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16
Q

Sunni

A

Sect of Islam; argued for choosing caliph from accepted leadership; majority in Islamic world; supported Abu

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17
Q

Imams

A

‘true heirs of Islam’ in Shiite religion; descendents of Ali

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18
Q

Hidden Imam

A

12th descendent who disappeared in 9th century

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19
Q

Pahlavi shahs

A

Ruled from 1925 to 1979, authoritarian rulers who attempted to secularize state

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20
Q

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini

A

Unified political and religious interests, defended fundamentalism, led Revolution of 1979

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21
Q

What document legitimizes the state of Iran today?

A

The Constitution of 1979, along with amendments of 1989; complex mixture of theocracy and democracy, based on Jurist Guardianship

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22
Q

What President ushered about a period of reform in Iran?

A

M. Khatami (1997-2005)

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23
Q

Which President ushered about a period of theocratic control?

A

M. Ahmadinejad

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24
Q

Qajars

A

Iranian political dynasty; followed Safavids, before Pahlavis

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25
Q

Describe the Qajar relationship to religion

A

Did not claim imam’s mantle, despite Shiism being state religion -> Shiite clerical leaders came to be main interpreters of Islam -> sep btw religion and politics

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26
Q

Describe historical govt control over individual lives in Iran

A

Authoritarian, but not totalitarian

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27
Q

Describe the history of the interaction btw religion and politics in Iran

A

Qajars secularized state, Islamic revolution returned state to theocracy

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28
Q

Describe Iranian relationship w religion, historically

A

Islamic law, sharia, acts as source of legitimacy

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29
Q

Sharia

A

Islamic law

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30
Q

Describe Iran’s relationship w European colonialism, historically

A

Never officially colonized by Europeans (unlike Mexico/Nigeria); Qajars lost land to Russia; Pahlavis turned Iran into rentier state

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31
Q

Describe geographic limitations in Iran, historically

A

Arid/unusable for agriculture –> uneven population distribution, trade by land > water

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32
Q

Describe influence of Persia on Iran, historically

A

People still speak Persian rather than Arabic; distinctive architecture/literature/poetry/art -> shapes Iranian nationalism

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33
Q

Describe Iran’s relationship w nationalism, historically

A

Iranians have a strong sense of national identity

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34
Q

To which empire does Iran owe its Shiite roots?

A

The Safavids

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35
Q

People of the Book

A

Monotheistic people who subjected their lives to holy books, similar to the Qur’an (Abrahamic religions); allowed respect by Safavids

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36
Q

Where was the Safavid capital?

A

Isfahan

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37
Q

Who were the Safavid bureaucrats?

A

Persian scribes

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38
Q

Describe trade in the Safavid Empire

A

Silk roads had broken up and world trade had shifted to the Indian and Atlantic Oceans

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39
Q

Describe Safavid centralization

A

Lacked a central state and relied mostly on local rulers

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40
Q

Where was the Qajar capital?

A

Tehran

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41
Q

How did the Qajar economy interact w Europe?

A

Sold oil-drilling rights to Britain and borrowed from European banks to meet court expenses

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42
Q

Constitutional Revolution of 1905

A

Revolution against Qajars’ move to settle debts with Europe w/out paying domestic debts -> demanded written constitution -> Constitution of 1906 (

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43
Q

Constitution of 1906

A

Included:

  • Direct elections
  • Sep of Powers
  • Laws made by elected leg.
  • Popular sov
  • Bill of Rights
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44
Q

What created the Majles?

A

The Constitution of 1906 under the Qajars

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45
Q

Describe power of Majles under 1906 Constitution

A

made/pass laws and controlled cabinet ministers

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46
Q

Describe Shia relationship w the state under 1906 Constitution

A

Official state religion; only shiites could hold cabinet positions

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47
Q

What created the Guardian Council?

A

The constitution of 1906 under the Qajars

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48
Q

describe powers of Guardian Council under 1906 Constitution

A

Veto leg. passed by majles

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49
Q

How did the Qajar rule end?

A

(1925) The Cossack Brigade, under Reza Khan, carried out a successful coup d’etat and Khan declared self the shah-in-shah

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50
Q

What happened the the Majles under Reza Shah?

A

The Majles lost its power

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51
Q

Describe Pahlavi rule

A

Authoritarian, centralized

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52
Q

Tudeh party

A

Challenged shah, supported by working class trade unions

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53
Q

National Front

A

Challenged shah, led by Mosadeq, supported by middle class nationalists

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54
Q

Muhammad Mossadeq

A

Led National Front, advocated nationalizing oil, elected prime minister in 1951 -> overthrown by CIA -> shah restored to power

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55
Q

Rentier state

A

Supported by state expenditure while state receives rent from other countries (Iranian income from oil)

56
Q

What happened to the judicial branch under Pahlavis?

A

It became fully secularized

57
Q

White Revolution

A

Under Pahlavis, focused on land reform and secularization -> expanded rights for women

58
Q

Pahlavi Foundation

A

patronage system that controlled large companies that fed pocketbook of shah and supporters

59
Q

Resurgence Party

A

Declared only party in Iran by its head, Reza Shah

60
Q

How does the Iranian revolution differ from those of China, Russia and Mexico?

A

Religious > Communist, resulted in theocracy rather than breaking religious control

61
Q

Why did Iranians dislike the Pahlavi shahs?

A
  • He was totalitarian -> no true corporatism
  • Secularized Iran too fast
  • ties to the West
62
Q

Why did Khomeini appeal to Iranians?

A

Fundamentalism, depiction of us as “Great Satan”, gave new meaning to Jurist’s Guardianship

63
Q

Fundamentalism

A

emphasizes literal interpretation of Islamic texts, conservatism and traditionalism

64
Q

Jurists Guardianship

A

old shia term; originally gave sr. clergy broad authority over ‘unfortunate people’; khomeini expanded it to give authority over entire Shia community

65
Q

Why did the Revolution of 1979 begin?

A
  • revolution of rising expectations (oil prices decreased)

* US put pressure on shah to loosen restraints

66
Q

Who supported the Revolution of 1979?

A

Many groups and many people; clerics organized and led rallies

67
Q

How did the Rev of 1979 end?

A

shah fled country, people officially voted out monarchy

68
Q

Who drew the Constitution of 1979?

A

Assembly of Religious Experts

69
Q

Cultural Revolution

A

under Khomeini, aimed to purify the country from shah’s regime as well as secular values and behaviors, particularly those w western origins; all opposition was supressed

70
Q

How did clerics consolidate power under Khomeini?

A

Iran’s economy approved and govt was able to afford social programs, Iraq invaded Iran and people rallied around govt, charisma of Khomeini

71
Q

Who succeeded Khomeini?

A

Ali Khamenei

72
Q

Why has Khamenei not been as successful as Khomeini?

A

Iran-Iraq war ended, world oil prices fell, not as charismatic, many began to advocate for democracy

73
Q

white coup

A

bloodless coup; advocated for by Ahmadinejad

74
Q

Describe Iranian religious cleavages

A

90% Shia&raquo_space; Sunni > other Abrahamics; constitution guarantees basic rights of religious minorities but Baha’i faith has suffered religious persecution

75
Q

Describe Iranian ethnic cleavages

A

50% Persian > 24% Azeri > Gilaki+Mazandarani > Kurds > Arabi; Iranians worry Azeris will want to form a large state by taking territory from Iran

76
Q

Describe Iranian social/class cleavages

A

Govt social programs have helped poor; upper-middle class = highly secularized and critical of clerics

77
Q

Describe reformers v conservative cleavage

A

Conservatives want to keep regime theocratic while reformers want democracy infused in system

78
Q

pragmatic conservatives v rational clerics

A

prag cons = encourage free market, trade and direct foreign investment; rational clerics = state-sponsored wealth distribution and price controls

79
Q

Iranian relationship w civil society

A

hasn’t been restored under current regime, but growing number of young people and factory workers show promise of restoring it

80
Q

Tehran spring

A

occurred under Khatami, period of cautious political liberalization and open speech, ended under Ahmadinejad

81
Q

Mir Hossein Mousavi

A

Ahmadinejad’s opponent for pres in 2009; loss caused riots wrt validity of count

82
Q

Basij

A

voluntary militiamen

83
Q

Green Movement

A

protesters of 2009 election results

84
Q

Women under Islamic republic

A

Have had better access to education in recent years though Islamic Republic follows equality-with-difference policy

85
Q

equality-with-difference

A

divorce and custody laws follow Islamic standards that favor men

86
Q

Political parties under Islamic Republic

A

Provided by constitution, not allowed until Khatami; revolves around personalities > policy; plagued with factionalism and causes fluidity of parties

87
Q

Islamic Society of Engineers

A

Political party of which Ahmadinejad is a part

88
Q

Front of Islamic Revolution Stability

A

Conservative coalition

89
Q

Moderation and Development Party

A

A moderate party

90
Q

Combatant Clergy Association

A

Reformist coalition, has been described as conservative party, provided Rouhani as candidate

91
Q

Islamic Coalition Party

A

One of the oldest parties, conservative

92
Q

What are some banned parties?

A

The Liberation Movement (headed by first PM), the National Front (headed by Mossadeq)

93
Q

what is the minimum voting age in Iran?

A

18, used to be 15

94
Q

Which govt members may the public vote for directly?

A

Assembly of Religious Experts, Majles, President

95
Q

Describe voting in Iran

A

Winner-take-all, no proportional rep; consists of two rounds

96
Q

Workers’ House

A

Interest group for factory workers, political party = Islamic Labor Party

97
Q

How do interests groups relate to business?

A

Few IG have formed around businesses bc of nationalization

98
Q

Describe mass media in Iran

A

Freedom of Press is a major issue, radio and television are govt-run, magazines are catered to elite

99
Q

Describe Iran’s state structure

A

Highly centralized unitary state, divided administratively into local levels

100
Q

Faqih

A

position fulfilled by supreme leader; leading Islamic jurist to interpret sharia

101
Q

Describe duties of Supreme Leader

A
  • Elimination of Pres. Candidates
  • Dismissal of Pres
  • Command of armed forces
  • Declares war and peace
  • Appts/removes maj administrators and judges
  • Nominates six members of Guardian Council
  • Appts non-govt’l directors
102
Q

Who holds ultimate power in Islamic Republic?

A

The Supreme Leader

103
Q

Describe membership of Guardian Council

A

12 male clerics, 6 appt’d by SL and 6 by chief judge/approved by Majles

104
Q

Describe duties of Guardian Council

A

Decide who can run in elections, review bills passed by majles for compliance w sharia, exercise juris guardianship

105
Q

Describe membership of the Assembly of Religious Experts

A

86 man house directly elected every four years, subject to approval by Guardian Council

106
Q

What are the duties of the Assembly of Religious Experts?

A

Interpret Constitution, can dismiss and approve SL

107
Q

Describe membership of Expediency Council

A

32 members, appt’d by SL

108
Q

Describe duties of Expediency Council

A

passes compromise bills btw Guardian Council and Majles, may now originate own legislation

109
Q

Describe President’s election/terms

A

Directly elected every four years, limited to two consecutive terms, must be Shiite

110
Q

Describe President’s powers

A
  • Devising the budget
  • Supervising economic matters
  • Proposing leg to the majles
  • Executing policies
  • Signing of treaties, laws and agreements
  • Chairing National Security Council
  • Selecting VP and Cabinet Members
  • Appt provincial governors, town mayors and ambassadors
111
Q

Describe duties of Cabinet

A

conduct real day-to-day work of governance

112
Q

Describe bureaucracy

A

Gigantic, headed by President, clergy dominates

113
Q

Bonyads

A

Semipublic, theoretically autonomous institutions; established by Shah and were nationalized after revolution; great deal of income; no direct govt supervision; prevent private sector from succeeding

114
Q

Describe the legislature of Iran

A

Unicameral, though in some ways the Assembly functions as an upper house

115
Q

Describe powers of Majles

A
  • enacting/changing law
  • interpreting legislation
  • appt 6 members of Guardian Council
  • Investigating cabinet members/complaints against branches
  • Removing cabinet members
  • Approving budget
116
Q

Describe membership of Majles

A

290 members directly elected through single-member districts

117
Q

Khordad Front

A

Coalition of reformist parties

118
Q

Describe the Judiciary

A

supreme court headed by chief justice who is appt’d by SL for 5 yr terms

119
Q

Differentiate btw sharia and qanun

A

Sharia = religious/Islamic law while Quanun = law made by people’s directly elected representatives

120
Q

Does judicial review exist in Iran?

A

Yes

121
Q

Describe politics of judiciary

A

Highly fundamentalist

122
Q

What aspects of the Pahlavi judiciary did the Islamic Republic retain?

A

The appeals system, hierarchy of state courts and central govts right to appoint/dismiss judges

123
Q

Revolutionary Guards

A

Elite military force whose commanders are appt’d by SL; protects the Republic; becoming increasingly independent and takes an active role in policy making

124
Q

Statist v Free-marketers

A 
Statists = govt should take an active role in controlling economy
Free-marketers = encourage private enterprise
125
Q

How has the Majles politics changed throughout the years?

A

Flip-flopped from 2000 to 2004 to Conservative control

126
Q

Qom

A

Where Khomeini began to denounce the shah, important place for Islamic scholars; generally people hold belief that men of religion shouldn’t get involved in politics until 12th imam returns

127
Q

“Economics is for donkeys”

A

famous statement by Khomeini, disdaining economics and affirming religious

128
Q

What is the main economic problem of Iran?

A

The instability in the prices of oil

129
Q

How has the economy been managed under Ahmadinejad?

A

govt expenditures on subsidies increased 25% -> gasoline priced low -> corruption

130
Q

Describe history of subsidies in recent Iranian history

A

In 2010, major reforms were to end many economic subsidies BUT almost all Iranians receive cash transfers today

131
Q

Describe Iran’s foreign trade

A

many countries have placed sanctions on Iran for its nuclear activities

132
Q

describe population policy in Iran

A

population surged after Revolution of 1979, when families were encouraged to expand -> unemployment rates increased -> govt reversed policy and began discouraging large families -> fertility rate declined -> reversed population crisis

133
Q

Describe President Ahmadinejad’s foreign policies

A

Polarizing, threatened to attack American interests

134
Q

Describe President Rouhani’s foreign policies

A

long record of experience in international relations, supported membership in WTO and concerned about ‘brain drain’

135
Q

What is Iran’s most important international membership?

A

OPEC

136
Q

What group has exploited Iran’s instability?

A

the Quds Force

137
Q

Describe Iran’s agreement on nuclear weapons

A
  • puts limits on Iran’s nuclear programs
  • nuclear program is focused into peaceful purposes
  • deal extends the time it would take Iran to make a bomb
  • sanctions may return if Iran doesn’t comply
  • Comprehensive inspections required

AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS (4 decks)

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