ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

BASIC FORMS OF GOVERNMENT POWER STRUCTURE Confederation Federation Unitary state Hegemony Empire POWER SOURCE Democracy: Direct democracy Representative democracy, Republic Constitutional Monarchy Monarchy/ Absolute Monarchy Oligarchy/ Aristocracy Military junta Plutocracy Authoritarianism/ Autocracy Despotism Dictatorship Totalitarianism Others: Anarchy, Anocracy (Shared power among elites, Somalia war lords), Kritarchy (Courts), Meritocracy, Theocracy

ethnic composition: Persian, 51%; Kurd, 7%; Arab, 3%; Turkmen, 2% religious composition: Shi’a Muslim, 89%, Sunni, `0%, other (Zoroastrian, Jewish, Baha’) 1% lower-middle income country: 19:231 GDP GDP composition by sector:: Agriculture, 30%, Industry, 25%, service, 45% life expectancy: 69 adult literacy: male 78.4, female 65.8

Iran Introduction Much of country not arable  skewed demographic distribution world’s 17th largest population 70% of population lives in 30% of the land Much of Iran is rural and historically nomadic/pastoral 89% Shi’ite Muslim Strategic location in Persian Gulf 2nd largest exporter within OPEC, 4th largest exporter in the world Proven oil reserves: 10% of world’s total, plus 15% of world’s natural gas reserves population concentrated in north and northwest and in cities: Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz, Qom should Iran’s resources be controlled by clerics, or is economics outside the realm of religious leaders? 5

I. Comparative Concepts

II. Sovereignty, Authority, and Power

Islamic Republic of Iran created by Revolution of 1979 (1) first religious revolution in modern history (2) culminated in rapid downfall of a powerful, long-standing autocratic regime (3) used religion as the primary agency of political mobilization (4) establishment of a theocracy in late 20th century, infused with strong democratic elements (5) inaugurated a wave of political activism in the Muslim world Islamic Theocracies: Sharia is the official basis for state laws in the following countries: Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, & Yemen. In Nigeria, the constitution provides that states may elect to use Shari'a laws and courts Christian Theocracy: Vatican City political activism in Muslim world: “Islamic fundamentalism,” “Islamic militancy”, “Islamic radicalism” Iran is the world’s only theocratic republic conceptual difference between theocracy and liberal democracy Theocracy assumes that an objectively true belief system must be promoted in public life Democracy: different view of public life: a space for individuals with diverse private beliefs can coexist Leadership: liberal democs presuppose that all citizens are eligible to gold all leadership positions Theocracy:top officials must be drawn from a minority of people specially trained in religious doctrine

Blending of theocratic and democratic features in Iran’s constitution split legitimacy recognizes principles of popular sovereignty and separation of powers but, legitimacy also rests on conformity to a revealed body of religious law SPLIT IN BASES OF LEGITIMACY popular sovereignty: people elect president, members of parliament, Assembly of Religious Experts, and local city and village councils even though officials/policymakers are elected, they are overseen by clerics who are not fully accountable to anything except their own religious conscience and one another

Legitimacy of Modern State Revolution of 1979 Legitimacy attached to principles of Shi’ism Constitution of 1979 Amended in 1989

History: Significant dates 559 BC The first world empire (Achemenian Empire) founded by Cyrus the Great 570 - 632 life span of the Prophet Muhammad 637-651 Arab armies defeat Persia, introduce Islam 1501-1722 Safavid Empire founded, shi’ism established as Persia’s state religion 1794-1925 Qajar dynasty replaced the Safavids, retained Shi’ism 1925-1979 The Pahlavi dynasty World War I Iran occupied by Russian, British and German troops 1979 Shah’s regime falls, Khomeini declares Islamic Republic 1980-1988 war with Iraq ancient Achemenian Empire, called Persia by Greece, its greatest rival both civilizations were conquered by a Macedonian – A the Great

Shi’ism from 7th to 16th centuries, region of Iran was disunified and frequently invaded the glue that would eventually hold Persians together was religion survived subsequent invasions and changes in political leaderhip vital source of identity for Iranians Shi’ism established as the state religion in the 16th century division from Sunni Muslims: the prophet died without a designated heir Sunnis favored choosing the caliph from existing leadership Shi’ias argued that only descendants of Ali should lead Iranian sovereigns traditionally were military leaders, who also endorsed a state religion – Zoroastrianism – set the stage for an authoritarian state Shi’ism is the brand of Islam that distinguishes Iran from its neighbors a minority sect – 15% of Muslims worldwide – Shi’ia Iran is surrounded by Shiite states Ali: the prophet’s son-in-law heirs of Ali – imams - continued to 9th century, when the 12th descendant disappeared as a child the “hidden imam”: will eventually return but until then the rulers of Iran stood in his place as the true heirs of Islam messianic belief: the hidden imam will return and restore a just order – until return, the rulers of Iran stood in imam’s place as the true heirs of Islam until then, all secular authority is ultimately illegitimate

Ali: the prophet’s son-in-law heirs of Ali – imams - continued to 9th century, when the 12th descendant disappeared as a child the “hidden imam”: will eventually return but until then the rulers of Iran stood in his place as the true heirs of Islam messianic belief: the hidden imam will return and restore a just order – until return, the rulers of Iran stood in imam’s place as the true heirs of Islam until then, all secular authority is ultimately illegitimate

messianic belief  challenge to legitimacy of all secular authority shi’ite clerics: more independent, more hostile to secular power secure income from voluntary religioius taxes Shii’te clerics occupied a position similar to Catholic priests in premodern Europe or the Confucian mandarins in premodern China

Safavids (1501-1722) characteristics: converted Iranians to Shi’ism ruled from inland Isfahan, relied on local leaders claimed descent from 12 imams influences on modern political system: 90% of modern Iranians are Shi’ite tradition of isolation foundations for a theocracy Sunni: Kurds in NW, Turks in NE, Arabs in SW Shi’ites respecte People if the Book – monotheistic, holy book – Jews, Christians ruled from inland – little access to trade, little arable land economic constraints forced the mto rely on local rulers – lacked ac entral state fragmented - vulnerable

Qajars (1794 – 1925) characteristics: Turkish invaders ruled from coastal Tehran retained Shi’ism domination by other countries influences on modern political system: tradition of trade/contact foundations of secularism failures of regime led to Constitutional Revolution of 1905  representative government Afghan tribesmen invaded, 1722, finally conquered by Qajars, another Turkish group retained Shiism but c/n claim descent from imams (because they were Turks0 – began separation of church and state era of imperialism – lost land to Russia, sold oil rights to GB, heavy debt Constitutional Revolution of 1905 – 1909, mostly by middle class opposed to extravagance of rulers, plus no effective army to put down Constitution: direct elections, sep of powers, elected leg (majlis), popular sovereignty, individual rights Shiism still official religion – necessary for cabinet appt, creation of Guardian Council division of Iran during WW I

Pahlavis (1925-1979) characteristics: overthrew representative government centralized power in shah increased reliance on oil income  creation of rentier state contact with West, secularization corruption influences on modern political system: reinforced authoritarian rule increased secularization, followed by reestablishment of theocracy coup by Reza Khan, colonel against weakened state, established dynasty authoritarian – Majlis lost its power, though still some democratic opposition transformed into a rentier state as oil revenues increased – gvt d/n need to tax, so d/n need support of the people Shah seen as puppet patronage fed the wallets of the Pahlavis, created the single Resurgence Party, w/ shah at head built a highly centralized state, controlled banks, media, Nat’l Iranian Oil Company grew military and bureaucracy turned Majlis into rubber stamp courts became secularized; Euro-style law codes western sympathy, white revolution (land redistribution – sold land to small farmers, encouraged them to become modern entrepreneurs) extending women’s suffrage the Pahlavi attempts to secularize the state were undone by a charismatic leader – AK – who personified the union of politics and religion AK led the Rev of 1979, which transformed the legitimacy of the state, again anchoring it in principles of Shi’ism

NATIONAL FRONT: supported by middle class people Eventual democratic opposition to absolute rule of Reza Shah: Muhammad Mosaddeq NATIONAL FRONT: supported by middle class people who emphasized Iranian nationalism, advocated nationalizing British-owned companies that monopolized oil take military out from under control of shah Mosaddeq elected Prime Minister in 1951, forced shah to flee the country in 1953 Great Britain and US co-sponsored move to overthrow Mosaddeq and restore shah to power per USA, shah was pro-West and anti-Soviet

The Islamic Revolution and the Republic (1979 – Present) Contrast from other modern revolutions (Russia, China, Mexico): in Iran, almost completely based on religion the shah divided political culture, and a clerical elite rose up, led a revolution, and took over the government charismatic leader: Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (1): defended fundamentalism (2): articulated resentment against elites and the West fundamentalism: emphasized literal interpretation of Islamic texts, social conservatism, political traditionalism US and “the Great Satan” gave new meaning to jurist’s guardianship: principle that originally gave senior clergy broad authority over unfortunates (widows, orphans, mentally unstable), but expanded by AK to authority over Shi’ia community

2 factors sparked the revolution: (1) late 1970s, decrease in oil prices combined with increase in consumer prices “revolution of rising expectations” (2) under pressure from USA, shah loosened restraints on opposition unleashed support for revolution from diverse groups shah fled the country ‘rising expectations’: rev most likely to occur when people are doing better than they once were but some setback occurs support for revolution: plitical parties, professional associations, bazarris, college students, oik workers unarmed demonstrators killed in Tehran, oil workers went on strike

Assembly of Religious Experts wrote constitution April, 1979: referendum officially ended the monarchy and established the Islamic Republic of Iran Assembly of Religious Experts wrote constitution gave broad authority to Ayatollah and clergy clergy launched a Cultural Revolution purify Iran from the shah’s rule and from secular values and behavior, especially Western-inspired government suppressed all opposition Assembly of Experts: 73-man body of clerics elected directly by the pople constitution approved by voters in midst of U.S. hostage crisis – time of high hostility toward West and USA in particular similar to Mao’s cultural rev, universities were cleared of liberals, replaced w/ faculty that supported the new regime

The Iran hostage crisis Referred to in Farsi as the "Conquest of the American Spy Den" 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days (November 4, 1979, to January 20, 1981), after a group of Iranian students supporting the Iranian Revolution took over the US Embassy in Tehran In Iran, the hostage taking was widely seen as a blow against the US and its influence in Iran, its perceived attempts to undermine the Iranian Revolution, and its longstanding support of the recently overthrown Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Following his overthrow, the Shah was allowed into the U.S. for medical treatment. The Iranians wanted the US to return the Shah to them for trial of the crimes committed by him during his reign on ordinary citizens with the help of his secret police, the SAVAK

In Iran the asylum granted by the U. S In Iran the asylum granted by the U.S. to the Shah was seen as American complicity in the atrocities meted by the Shah on the Iranian people. In the US, the hostage-taking was seen as an outrage violating the principle of international law granting diplomats immunity from arrest and diplomatic compounds' inviolability. US military attempted a rescue operation on April 24, 1980, Operation Eagle Claw resulted in a failed mission, the deaths of 8 American servicemen, 1 Iranian civilian, and the destruction of 2 aircraft. On July 27, 1980, the former Shah died; then Iraq invaded Iran. -These two events led the Iranian government to enter negotiations and the hostages were formally released just minutes after President Ronald Reagan was sworn into office. The crisis strengthened the prestige of the Ayatollah Khomeini and the political power of those who supported theocracy and opposed any normalization of relations with the West.

1989 - present Consolidation of clerical power under Khomeini aided by popular support: oil prices rebounded Iraq war personal charisma of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lacks personality and credentials of Khomeni greater questioning of authoritarian clerical rule Iraq was ended in 1988, world oil prices fell again in 1990s ongoing conflict between theocratic and democratic values compare presidencies of Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005) and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005 – present) Khatami: reformist, end freeze re West (esp USA) d/n advocate changing basic theocratic structures, but reformists became strong presence in Majles and exec branch Admadinejad: conservative, antagonistic toward West asserted theocratic values, appeal to Iranian nationalism

History of Iran & USA in 10 min, Every American must watch this!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_AHJQiMxIw https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#safe=strict&q=crash+course+iran+revolution http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-september-8-2010/you-re-not-helping---iran-s-crisis-of-modernity http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-june-23-2009/jason-jones--behind-the-veil---ayatollah-you-so http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-june-17-2013/how-should-we-feel-about-this- http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-september-18-2012/salman-rushdie http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-march-6-2012/words-of-warcraft http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-march-29-2007/iranian-hostage-crisis http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-september-24-2007/ahmadine-minute---touchdown http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-december-11-2013/exclusive---reza-aslan-extended-interview-pt--1