Iran

1. Iran By Adamiller, Suprak, and Me!

2. Iran • The World’s only theocracy • Form of Government in which all laws are grounded in religion and a clergy exercises supreme power • Genuine theocracies are rare

3. I RAN INTO BACKGROUND • The Islamic Republic of Iran was established in 1979 • Poor, middle-class, Religious, and secular people overthrew Mohammad-Reza Shah Pahlavi • Ruhollah Khomeini authored a blue print for theocratic government • In this government, democracy was opposed

4. Iran’s Background • Shari’a Law, Divine Law, is interpreted and applied by the ulema takes precedence of legislative human law • There current system was formulated to adhere to shari’a as well as have democratic principles

5. Ethnic Cleavage • Ethnicity • 61% Persian, 16% Azeri, 10% Kurd, 6% Lur, 2% Baloch, 2% Arab, 2% Turkish, 1% percent other • Language • Official language is Persian (53%), Azeri and Turkish Dilects are 18%, Kurdish is 10%, Gilaki and Mazandrani 7%, Luri 6%, Balochi 2%, Arabic 2%, other 2%

6. Religious Cleavage • Muslim is official religion (98%), out of Muslim 89% Shia – 9% Sunni, 2% other (Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha’i)

7. Shiites • Sect of Islam who believe to be true descendants of Muhammad. • Hereditary successors to Imans • Some believe the Iman line continues to run • Others believed the Twelfth Inman disappeared from the world to return and bring just law • Believers of this call themselves the Twelver Shiites

8. Head of State • Iran’s supreme leader : Ali Hoseini Khamenei • President: Mahumd Ahmadj-nejad

9. Powers of Head of State • Supreme Leader • 1. Delineation of the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran after consultation with the Nation's Expediency Discernment Council • 2. Supervision over the proper execution of the general policies of the systems. • 3. Issuing national decrees and referendums

10. Powers of Head of State • 4. Assuming supreme command of the armed forces • 5. Declaration of war and peace, and the mobilization of the armed forces. • 6. Appointment, dismissal, and acceptance of resignation of: • the Fugaha’ on the Guardian Council • the supreme judicial authority of the country. • the head of the radio and television network of the Islamic Republic of Iran • the chief of the joint chief of staff • the chief commander of the armed forces of the country.

11. Powers of the Head of State • 7. Resolving differences between the three wings of the armed forces and regulation of their relations. • 8. Resolving the problems, which cannot be solved by conventional methods, through the Nation's Expediency Discernment Council. • 9. Signing the decree formalizing the elections in Iran for the President of the Republic by the people.

12. Powers of the Head of State • 10. Dismissal of the President of the Republic, with due regard for the interests of the country, after the Supreme Court Holds him guilty of the violation of his constitutional duties, or after an impeachment vote of the Islamic Consultative assembly (Parliament) testifying to his incompetence on the basis of Article 89 of the constitution. • 11. Pardoning or reducing the sentences of convicts, within the framework of Islamic criteria, on a recommendation (to that effect) from the head of the Judiciary. The leader may delegate part of his duties and powers to another person.

13. Council of Guardians • Half of the council appointed by the supreme leader • Powers of the Council of Guardians • 1. Determine compatibility with Islam of laws approved by Parliament • 2. Monitor all elections (preselects Candidates) • 3. Interpret the constitution

14. Powers of the President • Signs bills into law once they are approved by the legislature • Appoints members of the cabinet and provincial governors (subject to legislature's approval)

15. Elections of Executives • The Supreme Leader is appointed for life by the assembly of experts, must be a well learned ulema, a Twelvershiite, and male • President elected through popular vote for four year terms (eligible for 2nd consecutive term), must be a Twelver Shiite and male.

16. Assembly of Experts • Deliberative body of Mujtahids, Islamic scholars, that are charged with electing and removing the supreme leader • Elected every 10 years by universal suffrage • Could be considered more powerful than the supreme leader, since they elect and dismiss the supreme leader

17. Legislative • Unicameral • Referred to as the Islamic Consultative Assembly, or the “People’s House” • Consists of 290 members • 8% women • Five members represent non-Muslim minorities

18. Powers of Legislature • The assembly can impeach the president on grounds of misconduct • Remove cabinet members • Propose and approve legislation • Approve legislation proposed by the president

19. Election of Legislators • Legislators are elected by popular vote from single and multimember districts to serve four year terms • Originally legislators were clerics or high ranking members of Islam • As time when on, religious background became less prominent

20. Judicial • Judicial branch referred to as Ministry of Justice • An independent power • Head of the ministry is appointed by the supreme leader for a five year term

21. Court Structure • Court system based upon the French Inquisitorial system • the court is actively involved in the investigation of the facts • The Iranian court structure includes Revolutionary courts, Public courts, Courts of Peace, and Supreme courts of Cassation