Iran Flashcards
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
2
Q
Theocracy
A
Govt ruled strictly by religion
3
Q
Secularization
A
Belief that govt and religion should be seperated
4
Q
Achaemenian Empire/Persia
A
Iran circa 6th century BCE
5
Q
Contrast Persia w/ Greece
A
Persia = dry, highly centralized military leadership Greece = divided into quarrelling city-states, sea-based economy
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
7
Q
Who founded Persia?
A
Cyrus
8
Q
What is the significance of Persia v Greece?
A
first act of west v east drama
9
Q
Who conquered Persia and Greece?
A
Alexander of Macedon
10
Q
Describe Persian sovereigns
A
Hereditary military leaders: Cyrus, Darius
11
Q
Where was the Persian capital?
A
Persepolis
12
Q
What religion did the state of Persia sponsor?
A
Zoroastrianism
13
Q
What precedent did the Achaemenids establish?
A
The authoritarian state
14
Q
Shiism
A
Sect of Isalm; argued for a hereditary ruler to follow Mohammed; minority in Islamic world; support Ali/imams
15
Q
When and by whom was Shiism established as the state religion?
A
16th century, Safavids
16
Q
Sunni
A
Sect of Islam; argued for choosing caliph from accepted leadership; majority in Islamic world; supported Abu
17
Q
Imams
A
‘true heirs of Islam’ in Shiite religion; descendents of Ali
18
Q
Hidden Imam
A
12th descendent who disappeared in 9th century
19
Q
Pahlavi shahs
A
Ruled from 1925 to 1979, authoritarian rulers who attempted to secularize state
20
Q
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini
A
Unified political and religious interests, defended fundamentalism, led Revolution of 1979
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
22
Q
What President ushered about a period of reform in Iran?
A
M. Khatami (1997-2005)
23
Q
Which President ushered about a period of theocratic control?
A
M. Ahmadinejad
24
Q
Qajars
A
Iranian political dynasty; followed Safavids, before Pahlavis
25
Describe the Qajar relationship to religion
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
26
Describe historical govt control over individual lives in Iran
Authoritarian, but not totalitarian
27
Describe the history of the interaction btw religion and politics in Iran
Qajars secularized state, Islamic revolution returned state to theocracy
28
Describe Iranian relationship w religion, historically
Islamic law, sharia, acts as source of legitimacy
29
Sharia
Islamic law
30
Describe Iran's relationship w European colonialism, historically
Never officially colonized by Europeans (unlike Mexico/Nigeria); Qajars lost land to Russia; Pahlavis turned Iran into rentier state
31
Describe geographic limitations in Iran, historically
Arid/unusable for agriculture --> uneven population distribution, trade by land > water
32
Describe influence of Persia on Iran, historically
People still speak Persian rather than Arabic; distinctive architecture/literature/poetry/art -> shapes Iranian nationalism
33
Describe Iran's relationship w nationalism, historically
Iranians have a strong sense of national identity
34
To which empire does Iran owe its Shiite roots?
The Safavids
35
People of the Book
Monotheistic people who subjected their lives to holy books, similar to the Qur'an (Abrahamic religions); allowed respect by Safavids
36
Where was the Safavid capital?
Isfahan
37
Who were the Safavid bureaucrats?
Persian scribes
38
Describe trade in the Safavid Empire
Silk roads had broken up and world trade had shifted to the Indian and Atlantic Oceans
39
Describe Safavid centralization
Lacked a central state and relied mostly on local rulers
40
Where was the Qajar capital?
Tehran
41
How did the Qajar economy interact w Europe?
Sold oil-drilling rights to Britain and borrowed from European banks to meet court expenses
42
Constitutional Revolution of 1905
Revolution against Qajars' move to settle debts with Europe w/out paying domestic debts -> demanded written constitution -> Constitution of 1906 (
43
Constitution of 1906
Included:
* Direct elections
* Sep of Powers
* Laws made by elected leg.
* Popular sov
* Bill of Rights
44
What created the Majles?
The Constitution of 1906 under the Qajars
45
Describe power of Majles under 1906 Constitution
made/pass laws and controlled cabinet ministers
46
Describe Shia relationship w the state under 1906 Constitution
Official state religion; only shiites could hold cabinet positions
47
What created the Guardian Council?
The constitution of 1906 under the Qajars
48
describe powers of Guardian Council under 1906 Constitution
Veto leg. passed by majles
49
How did the Qajar rule end?
(1925) The Cossack Brigade, under Reza Khan, carried out a successful coup d'etat and Khan declared self the shah-in-shah
50
What happened the the Majles under Reza Shah?
The Majles lost its power
51
Describe Pahlavi rule
Authoritarian, centralized
52
Tudeh party
Challenged shah, supported by working class trade unions
53
National Front
Challenged shah, led by Mosadeq, supported by middle class nationalists
54
Muhammad Mossadeq
Led National Front, advocated nationalizing oil, elected prime minister in 1951 -> overthrown by CIA -> shah restored to power
55
Rentier state
Supported by state expenditure while state receives rent from other countries (Iranian income from oil)
56
What happened to the judicial branch under Pahlavis?
It became fully secularized
57
White Revolution
Under Pahlavis, focused on land reform and secularization -> expanded rights for women
58
Pahlavi Foundation
patronage system that controlled large companies that fed pocketbook of shah and supporters
59
Resurgence Party
Declared only party in Iran by its head, Reza Shah
60
How does the Iranian revolution differ from those of China, Russia and Mexico?
Religious > Communist, resulted in theocracy rather than breaking religious control
61
Why did Iranians dislike the Pahlavi shahs?
* He was totalitarian -> no true corporatism
* Secularized Iran too fast
* ties to the West
62
Why did Khomeini appeal to Iranians?
Fundamentalism, depiction of us as "Great Satan", gave new meaning to Jurist's Guardianship
63
Fundamentalism
emphasizes literal interpretation of Islamic texts, conservatism and traditionalism
64
Jurists Guardianship
old shia term; originally gave sr. clergy broad authority over 'unfortunate people'; khomeini expanded it to give authority over entire Shia community
65
Why did the Revolution of 1979 begin?
* revolution of rising expectations (oil prices decreased)
| * US put pressure on shah to loosen restraints
66
Who supported the Revolution of 1979?
Many groups and many people; clerics organized and led rallies
67
How did the Rev of 1979 end?
shah fled country, people officially voted out monarchy
68
Who drew the Constitution of 1979?
Assembly of Religious Experts
69
Cultural Revolution
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
How did clerics consolidate power under Khomeini?
Iran's economy approved and govt was able to afford social programs, Iraq invaded Iran and people rallied around govt, charisma of Khomeini
71
Who succeeded Khomeini?
Ali Khamenei
72
Why has Khamenei not been as successful as Khomeini?
Iran-Iraq war ended, world oil prices fell, not as charismatic, many began to advocate for democracy
73
white coup
bloodless coup; advocated for by Ahmadinejad
74
Describe Iranian religious cleavages
90% Shia >> Sunni > other Abrahamics; constitution guarantees basic rights of religious minorities but Baha'i faith has suffered religious persecution
75
Describe Iranian ethnic cleavages
50% Persian > 24% Azeri > Gilaki+Mazandarani > Kurds > Arabi; Iranians worry Azeris will want to form a large state by taking territory from Iran
76
Describe Iranian social/class cleavages
Govt social programs have helped poor; upper-middle class = highly secularized and critical of clerics
77
Describe reformers v conservative cleavage
Conservatives want to keep regime theocratic while reformers want democracy infused in system
78
pragmatic conservatives v rational clerics
prag cons = encourage free market, trade and direct foreign investment; rational clerics = state-sponsored wealth distribution and price controls
79
Iranian relationship w civil society
hasn't been restored under current regime, but growing number of young people and factory workers show promise of restoring it
80
Tehran spring
occurred under Khatami, period of cautious political liberalization and open speech, ended under Ahmadinejad
81
Mir Hossein Mousavi
Ahmadinejad's opponent for pres in 2009; loss caused riots wrt validity of count
82
Basij
voluntary militiamen
83
Green Movement
protesters of 2009 election results
84
Women under Islamic republic
Have had better access to education in recent years though Islamic Republic follows equality-with-difference policy
85
equality-with-difference
divorce and custody laws follow Islamic standards that favor men
86
Political parties under Islamic Republic
Provided by constitution, not allowed until Khatami; revolves around personalities > policy; plagued with factionalism and causes fluidity of parties
87
Islamic Society of Engineers
Political party of which Ahmadinejad is a part
88
Front of Islamic Revolution Stability
Conservative coalition
89
Moderation and Development Party
A moderate party
90
Combatant Clergy Association
Reformist coalition, has been described as conservative party, provided Rouhani as candidate
91
Islamic Coalition Party
One of the oldest parties, conservative
92
What are some banned parties?
The Liberation Movement (headed by first PM), the National Front (headed by Mossadeq)
93
what is the minimum voting age in Iran?
18, used to be 15
94
Which govt members may the public vote for directly?
Assembly of Religious Experts, Majles, President
95
Describe voting in Iran
Winner-take-all, no proportional rep; consists of two rounds
96
Workers' House
Interest group for factory workers, political party = Islamic Labor Party
97
How do interests groups relate to business?
Few IG have formed around businesses bc of nationalization
98
Describe mass media in Iran
Freedom of Press is a major issue, radio and television are govt-run, magazines are catered to elite
99
Describe Iran's state structure
Highly centralized unitary state, divided administratively into local levels
100
Faqih
position fulfilled by supreme leader; leading Islamic jurist to interpret sharia
101
Describe duties of Supreme Leader
* 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
Who holds ultimate power in Islamic Republic?
The Supreme Leader
103
Describe membership of Guardian Council
12 male clerics, 6 appt'd by SL and 6 by chief judge/approved by Majles
104
Describe duties of Guardian Council
Decide who can run in elections, review bills passed by majles for compliance w sharia, exercise juris guardianship
105
Describe membership of the Assembly of Religious Experts
86 man house directly elected every four years, subject to approval by Guardian Council
106
What are the duties of the Assembly of Religious Experts?
Interpret Constitution, can dismiss and approve SL
107
Describe membership of Expediency Council
32 members, appt'd by SL
108
Describe duties of Expediency Council
passes compromise bills btw Guardian Council and Majles, may now originate own legislation
109
Describe President's election/terms
Directly elected every four years, limited to two consecutive terms, must be Shiite
110
Describe President's powers
* 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
Describe duties of Cabinet
conduct real day-to-day work of governance
112
Describe bureaucracy
Gigantic, headed by President, clergy dominates
113
Bonyads
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
Describe the legislature of Iran
Unicameral, though in some ways the Assembly functions as an upper house
115
Describe powers of Majles
* enacting/changing law
* interpreting legislation
* appt 6 members of Guardian Council
* Investigating cabinet members/complaints against branches
* Removing cabinet members
* Approving budget
116
Describe membership of Majles
290 members directly elected through single-member districts
117
Khordad Front
Coalition of reformist parties
118
Describe the Judiciary
supreme court headed by chief justice who is appt'd by SL for 5 yr terms
119
Differentiate btw sharia and qanun
Sharia = religious/Islamic law while Quanun = law made by people's directly elected representatives
120
Does judicial review exist in Iran?
Yes
121
Describe politics of judiciary
Highly fundamentalist
122
What aspects of the Pahlavi judiciary did the Islamic Republic retain?
The appeals system, hierarchy of state courts and central govts right to appoint/dismiss judges
123
Revolutionary Guards
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
Statist v Free-marketers
```
Statists = govt should take an active role in controlling economy
Free-marketers = encourage private enterprise
```
125
How has the Majles politics changed throughout the years?
Flip-flopped from 2000 to 2004 to Conservative control
126
Qom
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
"Economics is for donkeys"
famous statement by Khomeini, disdaining economics and affirming religious
128
What is the main economic problem of Iran?
The instability in the prices of oil
129
How has the economy been managed under Ahmadinejad?
govt expenditures on subsidies increased 25% -> gasoline priced low -> corruption
130
Describe history of subsidies in recent Iranian history
In 2010, major reforms were to end many economic subsidies BUT almost all Iranians receive cash transfers today
131
Describe Iran's foreign trade
many countries have placed sanctions on Iran for its nuclear activities
132
describe population policy in Iran
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
Describe President Ahmadinejad's foreign policies
Polarizing, threatened to attack American interests
134
Describe President Rouhani's foreign policies
long record of experience in international relations, supported membership in WTO and concerned about 'brain drain'
135
What is Iran's most important international membership?
OPEC
136
What group has exploited Iran's instability?
the Quds Force
137
Describe Iran's agreement on nuclear weapons
* 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
