1. Islamic republic of iran

2. Geography Arid plateau around 4000 feet above sea level
Bounded by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, Turkey and Iraq

3. King Darius - Zoroastrianism
Iranian sovereigns were hereditary military leaders
Darius built capital of Persepolis
Built intricate system of roads
King’s authority supported by strong military as well as state-sponsored religion: Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism did not survive as major religion but continued to be practiced regularly until 7th century CE.

4. Shi’ism Between 7th & 16th centuries CE religion held Iran together
Numerous invasions by Arabs introduced Islam to the region
Even when Iranian caliphate was defeated by Mongols in 13th century the Mongolians converted to Islam
Shi’ism established as state religion in 16th century

5. Shi’ism II
Shi’ites – after Muhammad’s death they felt that leadership of the Muslims should be hereditary and pass to Muhammad’s son-in-law, Ali.
Sunnis favored choosing a caliph from the accepted Sunni leadership
When Ali was killed the Shi’ite opinion became a minority one, but they kept their separate identity
True heirs of Islam were the descendants of Ali
The heirs (Imams) continued until the 9th century, when the 12th descendant disappeared as a a child, to become known as the “Hidden Imam”

6. Twelver Shi’ism “Hidden Imams”
12th Imam disappeared as a child in 874 CE, did not die however, will come forward and show himself to establish just rule at the end of times, when injustice and corruption reign supreme (Messiah-like figure)
Ulema were willing to give the right to rule to the shahs as long as they ruled justly
By end of the 17th century for a shah’s rule to be legitimate he had to have the ulema’s endorsement
Ulema ultimately establish themselves as an institution independent of the state, tithes were often paid to the ulema directly giving them both political and economic influence
The center of Twelver Shi’ism is the city of Najaf, in Iraq

7. Safavid Empire (1501-1722) Established Shi’ite identity in Iran
By mid-17th century converted 90% of population to Shi’ism
Tolerated “People of the Book” – monotheistic religions based on holy books similar to the Qur’an
Serious economic problems do to breakup of the Silk Road
Had no money for large bureaucracy or standing army
Relied on local rulers to maintain order and collect taxes
Claimed absolute power but lacked a central state
Monarchy became separated from society and lost power by 1722

8. Qajars ( )
Turkish people that reconquered Iran at end of 18th century
Moved capital to Tehran
Could not claim to be descendents of Twelve Imams
Shi’ite clerical leaders could claim more power as interpreters of Islam, separation between government and religion widened
Suffered land loss to European empires of 19th century, sold oil rights to British in the southwest
Shah led country into serious debt
Iranians upset over shah’s lavish lifestyle look for change that would be initiated by bankers and businessmen

9. Constitutional Revolution
Constitution of 1906
Elections
Separation of Powers
Laws made by an elected legislature
Popular sovereignty
Bill of Rights guaranteeing citizen equality, protection of the accused, and freedom of expression
Majlis & Guardian Council created
Shi’ism becomes official state religion

10. Pahlavis ( )
By early 1920’s Iran in political and economic disarray
Majlis divided by quarreling factions
Iran divided into three parts after WWI with Russia and Great Britain each occupying a third of the country
Cossack Brigade of the Qajar’s led by Colonel Reza Khan carries out coup d’etat in 1921 and claims himself shah-in-shah in 1925 establishing the Pahlavi dynasty

11. Pahlavi’s continued Authoritarian rule reestablished in Iran
Majlis loses its power
Reza Shah passes power to his son, Muhammad Reza Shah in 1941
Democratic experiment of 1906 constitution not forgotten, shah challenged domestically
Tudeh Party (communists)
National Front (nationalists) Muhammad Mossadeq
Mossadeq overthrown by CIA in 1953, Shah reinstated

12. Pahlavi - OIL & the Rent-seeking state
Iran transformed into rent-seeking state under Pahlavi’s because of increasing income from oil
Rentier Economy: heavily supported by state expenditure, while the state receives “rents” from other countries
Iran received increasing revenue from exporting oil and leasing oil fields to foreign countries
Although shah promoted import substitution policies by oil & associated industries provided 97% of foreign exchange and majority of Iran’s GNP
Oil revenue became so great government did not have to rely on internal taxes to generate income, paid expenses from oil profits
The people become unnecessary to the government in a rentier state

13. Pahlavi Influence Centralized State State banks
National radio/TV networks
National Iranian Oil Company (NOIC)
Central Bureaucracy controlled local governments
Majlis became “rubber-stamp” legislature
Secularization in judicial branch (European-style judicial system)
“White Revolution”
Armed forces 5th largest in world by 1979
Patronage – shah’s boost personal wealth by seizing property and establishing tax-exempt Pahlavi Foundation that controlled large companies and fed their wealth
Muhammad Reza Shah formed Resurgence Party, claimed Iran was one-party state, named himself head

14. Pahlavi – “White Revolution”
“White” to counter influence of “red” communists
Land reform – government bought land from large absentee owners and sold it to farmers at affordable prices
Encourage agricultural entrepreneurship with irrigation canals, dams, & tractors
Women’s rights (secularization)
Suffrage
Restricting Polygamy
Women allowed to work outside the home

15. Islamic Revolution & the Republic (1979-present)
Dominant ideology of Iranian revolution: Religion
Leader a cleric (Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini)
Theocracy established
Fundamental Islam
Causes
Shah perceived as being totalitarian
Balance between secular and religious state ruptured
Ties with US and the Western world

16. Khomeini, Fundamentalism, & Revolution
Islamic Fundamentalism
Literal interpretation of Islamic texts
Social conservatism
Political traditionalism
Resentment towards elites, US, and the Western world
US was the “Great Satan”
Velayat-e faqih (jurist’s guardianship)
Senior clergy given authority over entire Shi’ia community

17. Revolution Oil prices decrease about 10% in late 70s
Consumer prices in Iran increase about 20% at the same time
“Revolution of Rising Expectations” – revolutions occur when people are doing better than they once were and a set back occurs
US puts pressure on shat to loosen restrictions on civil society, in particular restraints on political opposition
Once restrictions were eased many groups join the revolt (students, teachers, labor groups, oil workers, merchants, and professional associations)

18. Revolution II 1978 Rallies organized and led by clerics
Unarmed demonstrators killed in central square Tehran
Oil workers go on strike
Anti-regime rallies attract 2 million participants
Rallies organized and led by clerics
Shah flees the country in February 1979
Khomeini returns to Iran from exile in Paris

19. Islamic Republic
April 1979 referendum held, Iranians officially vote out the shah, Islamic Republic established
Assembly of Religious Experts – 73 clerics elected by the people draft a new constitution in 1979
US-Iranian hostage crisis on- going during vote to ratify constitution
99% of electorate vote to endorse constitution although only 75% of eligible voters cast votes

20. Khomeini & the Islamic Republic
Clerics consolidate power
Popular support for regime high
World oil prices rise again, allowing for social programs, improvements in medicine & housing
Iraq invades Iran, people rally around the government
Charisma of Khomeini inspired faith in the government
Khomeini dies in 1989, constitution amended
Ali Khamenei succeeds Khomeini, does not have the same political charisma as the Ayatollah
Iran/Iraq war ends in 1988, country war-torn
Oil prices drop in 1990’s
Population begins to question authoritarian rule of the clerics

21. Constitution of 1979 Document & 40 Amendments (Some added in 1989)
Mixture of theocracy and democracy
Preamble reflects importance of religion
Velayat-e faqih (Jurist’s guardianship)
Gave broad authority to Khomeini and the clerics

22. Political Cleavages Religion Ethnicity Social Class
Reformers vs. Conservatives

23. Religion 89% of Iranians are Shi’a Muslims 10% are Sunni Muslim
The constitution does not mention Sunni’s and their legal status is therefore unknown
1% are combination of Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, and Baha’i
Constitution recognizes rights of religious minorities, many religious minorities have left country since Islamic Revolution
Baha’i considered unholy offshoot of Islam and they have been persecuted by Shi’ite governments.
Baha’i leaders have been executed, imprisoned, tortured, their schools closed and property confiscated

24. Ethnicity 51% Persian (speak Farsi) 24% Azeri 8% Gilaki & Mazandarani
Live mostly in the northwest close to Azerbaijan, this causes tension with Iranian government worried that Azeri may want to unite part of Iranian territory with Azerbaijan
Azeri do not speak Farsi, but they are mostly Shi’ite, Ali Khameini was Azeri
8% Gilaki & Mazandarani
7% Kurds
Predominantly Sunni
3% Arabic

25. Social Class Peasantry and middle class support Islamic regime
Benefited from government social programs.
Provided electricity & paved roads
Middle & Upper-middle class largely secularized
Critical of clerics
Have not fared well economically under the Republic this reinforces their cultural and political views

26. Political Culture
Authoritarianism (not totalitarianism) – leaders claim to be all powerful, but do not interfere with every aspect of the citizens lives
Union of political & religious authority
Shi’ism & Sharia – key components of everyday life
Escape from European Colonialism
Geographic Limitations – limited arable land forced expansion through military conquest, population of Iran unevenly distributed in cities and northwestern part of country
Influence of Ancient Persia

27. Political Culture Shi’ism unifying thread to political culture
Multi-faceted political culture:
Authoritarianism
Union of political and religious authority
Shi’ism and shari’a central components
No European colonization
Geographic limitations
Influence of ancient Persia

28. Protests and Demonstrations
College campus active in protests
1999 – gov’t shut down reformist newspaper
2002 – death sentence for reformist academic
2003 – student demonstrations over privatization of university system
Today: concerns from workers like high unemployment, low wages, labor laws

29. Women in Iran Women have better access to education
Women often considered wards of their male relatives
Today: college students and professionals
Islamic Republic policy is “equality-with- difference”
Women not well represented in the Majles

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

31. Women & the Political System
Treatment of women in Iran is probably more contentious for Westerners than the majority of Iranian women
When shari’a law is interpreted narrowly women are considered wards of their male relatives
“Equality-with-difference” policy – instituted by the Islamic Republic slants law favorably towards men on issues such as divorce and custody
Women must wear scarves and long coats in public
Women can not leave country without consent of male relatives
Occasionally women stoned for committing adultery
Women allowed to get education in Iran and entrance into some occupations
Expectations for better jobs and increased political rights among educated women
Half of college students in Iran are women
Women make up 27% of the labor force