Iran Unit

Question 1

what kind of government does Iran have?

Answer 1

theocratic republic

Question 2

is the political regime in Iran stable

Answer 2

no-goes back and forth between reform and conservative/traditional

Question 3

issues faced in Iran

Answer 3

tradition v modernization
islam v democracy/free expression
distribution of wealth
rights for women
colonialism/western influence

Question 4

urban or rural population?

Answer 4

urban: majority of people live in the cities

Question 5

age demographic of Iran?

Answer 5

Iranian population is very young: 33 is the median age, 24% of all Iranians are under 15

why: not a lot of social expenditure for seniors

Question 6

start of Pahlavi Dynasty?

Answer 6

• coup in 1920s, Muhammad Reza Shah takes power (puppet leader for the west

Question 7

pahlavi dynasty opposition?

Answer 7

Mohammad Mosaddegah: reformer, radical, become PM in 1950 (and Shah flees)

Question 8

what happens when Mosadegah becomes PM?

Answer 8

Britain and the US stage a coup to overthrow him (to protect oil interests)

Question 9

characteristics of Mohammad Reza Shah

Answer 9

• reformer
• westernization
• women’s rights
• land redistribution
• secularization

known as White Revolution

Question 10

is Iran a rentier state?

Answer 10

yes: the state is dependent on the oil industry, creates fragile economy

Question 11

why does the Shah become unpopular?

Answer 11

he becomes wealthy and spends all of the nation’s money on his lavish life rather than on the suffering citizens

he becomes too tied to the western world

Question 12

who represents the religious reformations in Iran?

Answer 12

Ayatollah Khomeini

Question 13

what happens in 1979?

Answer 13

• the Shah flees the nation after mass protesting
• people vote for a referendum to overthrow the Pahlavi monarchy and set up an Islamic Republic

Question 14

traits of Islamic Republic under Khomeini?

Answer 14

• guard ship of the jurist: society ought to be led by Islamic leaders
• islamic fundamentalism: oppose the infiltration of secular and Westernizing influences and seek to institute Islamic law, including strict codes of behavior
• only senior clerics can interpret the law

Question 15

Iranian Hostage Crisis

Answer 15

Iran takes USA ministers hostage, in return they want the USA to apologize for their involvement in the coup against Mosaddegah and return the Shah for trial

Question 16

cultural revolution past 1979 characteristics

Answer 16

• purify country from Shah’s regime
• suppress opposition, purge liberals from universities
• take away freedoms from women
• nationalize press
• change school curriculum

Question 17

Iran-Iraq war

Answer 17

Hussein/Iraq invaded Iran, ends in ceasefire

Question 18

who replaces Khomeini?

Answer 18

Khameini

Question 19

who was president from 1984-1997?

Answer 19

Hashemi Rafsarijami

Question 19

characteristics of Hashemi Rafsarijami?

Answer 19

• moderate
• wanted to strengthen economy
• very few actual reforms

Question 20

who was president from 1997-2005?

Answer 20

Mohammad Khatami

Question 22

characteristics of Khatami?

Answer 22

• reformer
• made easier to organize political groups
• less press censorship
• improved communication with the west
• conservative wave win Majlis make him unpopular

Question 23

who was the president from 2005-2013?

Answer 23

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Question 24

Ahmadinejad election controversy

Answer 24

- rivalry with other candidate, Mousavi - fraud allegations in election - protests and major government crackdown

Question 26

Ahmadinejad characteristics

Answer 26

- ultra conservative - closed reformist newspapers - journalist and activists arrested - jailed internet users - morality police enforce Islamic dress and gender standards - increased reports of arrest and torture

Question 27

who was the president from 2013-2021?

Answer 27

Rouhani

Question 28

Rouhani characteristics?

Answer 28

- moderate cleric - supported women's rights - worked to increase Iran's purchasing power - light reforms - overall positive reputation

Question 29

who is the current president?

Answer 29

Raisi, conservative

Question 30

Raisi election controversy

Answer 30

- low voter turnout: 49% - Guardian Council vetted a lot pf candidates from running

Question 31

list the theocratic institutions:

Answer 31

- Supreme Leader - Guardian Council - Assembly Experts - Expediency Council

Question 32

what kind of state is Iran?

Answer 32

unitary, but split into provinces, districts, and local govs (so there are still local elections)

Question 32

executive branch structure?

Answer 32

dual executive: SL and President

Question 32

legislature structure?

Answer 32

unicameral legislatiure (Majilis) mostly just follow President's will

Question 33

what is the judiciary based off of?

Answer 33

Sharia law

Question 34

what positions do citizens vote directly for?

Answer 34

experts, parliament, and president

Question 35

Supreme Leader characteristics:

Answer 35

- most powerful position - chosen by assembly of experts - appointed for life - has to be reaffirmed and can be removed (in theory) - supervises that policy follows Islam - links all three branches together

Question 36

powers of SL:

Answer 36

- limit presidential candidates - overrule/dismiss president - command armed forces - declare war - issue decree for referendum - appoint head of judiciary - appoint half of Guardian Council - appoint prayer leaders, head of radio/TV - interpret Sharia law

Question 37

How many people on the GC?

Answer 37

- 12, all male

Question 38

how long are GC terms?

Answer 38

6 years

Question 39

How are GC members appointed?

Answer 39

the SL appoints 6, the other 6 are recommended by the judiciary and approved by parliament

Question 41

GC powers

Answer 41

- can veto legislation - determines who can run for office at all levels, can disqualify candidates

Question 42

how many members in the assembly of experts

Answer 42

86 members, members subject to approval by GC

Question 42

how long are the terms for the assembly of expert members?

Answer 42

8 year terms

Question 43

powers of experts?

Answer 43

elect supreme leader, can dismiss him in theory (but won't)

Question 44

how many members in expediency council

Answer 44

32 members, appointed by SL includes President, Chief judge, speaker of Majilis, jurists of GC

Question 45

how long are terms of members of the expediency council?

Answer 45

5 year terms

Question 46

powers of expediency council

Answer 46

- settle disputes between Majilis and Guardian Council - can originate its own legislation

Question 47

political parties in Iran?

Answer 47

generally weak, largely centered around coalitions of Conservatives v. Reformists

Question 48

media in iran?

Answer 48

state run, if not requires registration, outside social media is banned

Question 49

progression of civil society

Answer 49

Khatami: loosened restrictions Ahmadinajead: banned books, websites shut down, papers shut down, did not tolerate peaceful demonstrations recently: some civil society, mostly young people

Question 50

Islam demographics

Answer 50

90% Shi'a, 10% Sunni, some other smaller religious percentages Bahai faith persecuted, seen as unholy

Question 51

ethnic demographics

Answer 51

51% Persian, 24% Azeri, smaller Kurdish and Arabic % Azeris live in NW near Azeribaijan Iran worried about independence movements

Question 52

how do the poor feel about the regime?

Answer 52

they support the regime because of the social programs it provides (ex: healthcare)

Question 53

how do the middle and upper classes feel about the regime?

Answer 53

more critical because they're secularized and more educated Middle class doesn't really exists because of Rentier State

Question 54

can women vote?

Answer 54

yes!

Question 55

can women run for the Majilis?

Answer 55

yes! but thats all they can run for.

Question 56

official policy for women

Answer 56

equality with difference

Question 57

how are men favored over women?

Answer 57

- divorce and custody laws favor men - women must cover up, can be arrested for not doing this - women cannot leave the country without permission from men