1. MIDTERM NEXT MONDAY (12 th ) 40 Multiple Choice Questions

2. Lecture on Thursday (Feb.7) Prof. Shamsie: “Good Governance and the Case of Brazil”

3. Attributes of Democratic Government Political equality Majority rule Popular sovereignty Political liberty (rights and freedoms) Minority rights Political competition Rule of law … How do we “design Democracy” to achieve these ideals?? How do we embed these ideals in institutions and processes?

4. “Democratic” countries have varying degrees of success with this…. Eg.: Constitutions and how rights are framed – which rights included? how are they protected? Eg.: Parliamentary vs. presidential systems – different (and partial) paths to popular sovereignty Eg.: SMPS vs. PR electoral systems – majority rule vs. minority rights and incentives for political parties

5. But what do institutions and processes in “nondemocratic” countries look like? Can countries be “sort of” democratic?

6. The Islamic Republic of Iran

7. People’s Republic of China

8. “Nondemocratic” Countries February 5 th

9. Authoritarian Governments: Authoritarianism: umbrella term for governments whose authority is not put to test in elections (but not totalitarian), opposition not tolerated (text p.25) – but, great variation! right-wing (conservative) → Saudi Arabia, military governments (Latin America) left-wing (socialist) → China, Russia

10. Democratic NondemocraticGovernment Political equality Political inequality Majority rule Elite rule Popular sovereignty Tyranny, oligarchy Political liberty Political subjugation Minority rights Repression of minorities Political competition Power monopoly Rule of law Arbitrary rule (rule by law)

11. Democratic NondemocraticGovernment Political equality Political inequality Majority rule Elite rule Popular sovereignty Tyranny, oligarchy Political liberty Political subjugation Minority rights Repression of minorities Political competition Power monopoly Rule of law Arbitrary rule

12. The Islamic Republic of Iran

13. Governmental System “A theocracy (rule by clerics) with some concessions to democracy” – principle of “jurist’s guardianship” (jurist = legal scholar steeped in Islamic religious law) – Supreme (religious) Leader – Ayatollah Ali Khameini has wide-ranging powers, link between three branches of gov’t, can dismiss President, controls armed forces, judiciary, media – all laws must conform to shari’a and clergy are ultimate interpreters

14. Iranian Governmental System Majles (290 deputies, 4-yr terms) Public Courts President (4-yr term) Bureaucracy People Head of Judiciary Cabinet Revolutionary Courts Special Clerical Court

15. Iranian Governmental System Majles (290 deputies, 4-yr terms) Public Courts President (4-yr term) Bureaucracy People Supreme Leader Council of Guardians Expediency Council Head of Judiciary Military Revolutionary Guard Assembly of Religious Experts (86, 8-yr terms) Cabinet Revolutionary Courts Special Clerical Court

16. Political Equality? Council of Guardians vets all political candidates – barred 2000 candidates from contesting 2004 parliamentary elections (85 of which were reformists in current parliament) Women may vote, run for office, but many do not exercise these rights Civic organizations allowed as long as they do not question basis of the Islamic Republic (“guided democracy”)

17. Majority Rule? Iranians cannot change their government democratically – Supreme Leader appointed for life – Council of Guardians not elected

18. Popular Sovereignty? Unelected Council of Guardians approves all legislation passed by parliament – regularly vetoes legislation Local elections introduced in 1999 – overwhelming support for reformers

19. Political Liberty? Citizens (esp. dissidents), MPs subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention Freedom of expression is limited, media controlled Freedom of association limited – public demonstrations that ‘violate principles of Islam’ prohibited Religious freedom limited (majority us Shi’a muslim) – ‘Morals police’ practice intimidation

20. Minority Rights? Additional seats in Majles are reserved for non-Muslim deputies – religious minorities may practice their faith but cannot hold senior gov’t positions, face restrictions in education, property ownership – Bahai’s face official discrimination Ethnic minorities permitted to establish associations

21. Political Competition? No competition for most powerful posts in gov’t (Council of Guardians, Supreme Leader) Competition for parliamentary seats (reform candidates) restricted

22. Rule of Law? Judiciary is not independent – Supreme Leader appoints Chief Justice, who then appoints other judges Political and sensitive cases are tried in the Revolutionary Courts (due process often ignored)