Theocracy

1. Theocracy U.S. and Iranian governments have much in common: a president who is popularly elected, a boisterous legislature, and a powerful judiciary. The obvious difference lies in the fact that Iran is an Islamic theocracy, and that one man, the Supreme Leader, exerts ideological and political control over a system dominated by clerics who shadow every major function of the state. Theocracy Definition: A form of government which defers not to civil development of law, but to an interpretation of the will of a God as set out in religious scripture and authorities. Because, by definition, Muslim states are theocracies, religious texts are law, the latter distinguished by Islam and Muslims in their application, as Sharia or Sharia law.

2. Persia 1907-1926 1907 - Introduction of constitution which limits the absolutist powers of rulers. 1914-1918 - Iran declared neutrality but is a scene of heavy fighting during World War I. 1921 February - Military commander Reza Khan seizes power from the Qajar leader. 1923 - Reza Khan (Pahlavi)becomes prime minister. 1925 December - Parliament votes to make Reza Khan ruler. 1926 April - Reza Khan is crowned Reza Shah Pahlavi. Mohammad Reza, the Shah's eldest son, is proclaimed Crown Prince.

3. Persia Persia is ancient name of modern Iran. The country was known by this name before the conquests of Alexander the Great and after the fall of the Arab empire.

4. Iran Iran is the name that had been given to the country by its inhabitants- the country was formerly known to Europeans as Persia. The name was officially adopted in 1935 by Reza Shah of the Pahlavi dynasty.

5. Iran 1940’s *1941 -Reza Khan declares Iran a neutral power during World War II, Iran's British-controlled oil interests are largely maintained by German engineers and technicians *Khan refuses to expel German citizens despite a request by Great Britain. *In September 1941, following British and Soviet occupation of western Iran, *Reza Shah is forced out of power. *His son, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, succeeds him on the throne.

6. CIA Intervention In 1949 an attempt on the shah's life, attributed to the pro-Soviet-Communist Tudeh Party, results in the expansion of the Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi's constitutional powers. In 1951 Nationalist Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadeq attempts to nationalize the British-owned oil industry. The shah opposes Mossadeq and removes him from power, but he regains power and the shah leaves Iran. In 1953 The shah returned to Iran -- with backing from the Central Intelligence Agency and the British government-- overthrows Mossadeq in an August coup d'etat.

7. The Coup This coup earned the USA and Britain the lasting hatred of large sectors of Iranian public opinion, uniting communists, nationalists and Shia clericalists behind enmity to foreign meddling. Mosaddeq became a folk hero of  Iranian nationalism. In the context of regional turmoil and the Cold War, the Shah established himself as an indispensable ally of the West. In the Middle East, Iran stood out as one of the few friends of Israel,

8. SAVAK:: ساواک, short for سازِمانِ اطلاعات وَ امنیَتِ کِشوَرSāzemān-e Ettelā'āt va Amniyat-e Keshvar With the help of the CIA,SAVAK, an Iranian intelligence organization was set up. They were later blamed for the torture and execution of thousands of political prisoners and the violent suppression of dissent.

9. The White Revolution In 1963 the shah implemented "The White Revolution," which was an aggressive campaign of social and economic Westernization that is met with intense popular opposition. Popular nationalist Ayatollah Khomeini was arrested in one of many crackdowns on the shah's opponents. By the late 1960s the shah relies regularly on SAVAK to quell dissidence The White Revolution consisted of 19 elements that were introduced over a period of 15 years, with the first 6 introduced in 1962 and put to a national referendum on January 26, 1963:

10. Examples of White Revolution-1963 Land Reforms Program and Abolishing "Feudalism" Privatization of the Government Owned Enterprises Extending the Right to Vote to Women, Formation of the Literacy Corps, Free and Compulsory Education Nationalization of all Water Resources Free Food for Needy Mothers These measures and the increasing arbitrariness of the Shah's rule provoked both religious leaders who feared losing their traditional authority and intellectuals seeking democratic reforms. These opponents criticized the Shah for violation of the constitution, which placed limits on royal power and provided for a representative government, and for subservience to the United States.

11. The beginning of the end for The Shah • In 1976 the shah replaced the Islamic calendar with an "imperial" calendar, beginning with the founding of the Persian Empire. Many of the shah's growing number of critics see this as anti-Islamic • The Shah denationalized Iran’s oil industry, 60% of which went to American firms. • The Shah staged an elaborate coronation ceremony, styling himself "Shah en Shah" - King of Kings • He sidelined the Islamic religion, and excited the opposition of Muslim groups, which rallied around the Ayatollah Khomeini • The Shah alienates the clergy • The people felt the Shah was subservient/a puppet to the United States

13. Ayatollah Khomeini • Ayatollah Khomeini who preached an idealist Islamic ideology had been exiled by the Shah in 1964 and was living Najaf Iraq since 1965, and from 1978 in France.

14. Khomeini in exile • In Najaf, Khomeini expounded his ideology of absolutist theocratic rule, Velayat e Faqih, led by a supreme leader. This ideology was spread through books and cassettes smuggled into Iran. • However, beginning about 1978, Khomeini began publicizing more democratic views and pretended that he envisioned democratic rule in Iran and that he would not be a leader of the government..

15. 1978-1979 • In 1978 Iranians resort to rioting, mass demonstrations and strikes to protest the shah's authoritarian rule. In response, he enforces martial law. • On January 16th 1979 the U.S.-backed Shah of Iran was forced to leave the country after widespread demonstrations and strikes

16. 1979 • Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran on February 1. • Processes against the supporters of the Shah started, and hundreds were executed or fled to the western world. • On April 1, after a landslide victory in a national referendum in which only one choice was offered (Islamic Republic: Yes or No), Ayatollah Khomeini declared an Islamic republic with a new constitution reflecting his ideals of Islamic government. • Ayatollah Khomeini became supreme spiritual leader (Valy-e-Faqih) of Iran. Subsequently many demonstrations were held in protest to the new rules, like extreme regulations on women's code of dress.

17. Ayatollahs arrival http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1PdGQzADkE (1.23)

18. Iranian Hostage Crisis • On November 4, 1979 Iranian students from Tehran University take 52 Americans hostage (started as 66 but 14 let go) • They were held for 444 days until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan as US president • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aMk5Q3PJyM • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-3X38hhPEw&feature=related

19. Iran–Iraq War1980-1988 • Iran and Iraq engage in 8 year border dispute resulting in over 1.5 million deaths. • Cease fire brokered by the UN results in an unchanged border. • US backs Iraq

20. 1989 • June 3, 1989 Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini dies • Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is new supreme leader 1989-present

21. Iran’s Constitution http://www.ivansahar.com/iranian-constitution.htm The constitution was first established in 1905 to quell the power of the monarchs. It was changed significantly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution

24. Iranian Leadership-Supreme Leader

25. The Supreme Leader • The supreme leader is the most senior member of the political system's hierarchy. • The post was first established and held by Ayatollah Khomeini then by Khamenei • As stated in the constitution's Articles 5 and 109, he should be "a religious scholar, having a proper political and social perspective, resourceful, just, pious and courageous and having adequate capability for leadership."

26. Key powers of the supreme leader - Appoints the head of the judiciary;- Appoints six out of twelve members of the Guardian Council;- Appoints the commanders of the armed forces and is the commander-in-chief;- Has sole prerogative to declare war or peace;- Appoints the head of the public television and radio network;- Appoints Friday prayer leaders;- Can dismiss the president if the supreme court rules that the president is in breach of the constitution;- Generally supervises the execution of policy;- Can call a national referendum; and- Formally confirms the elected president.

27. Assembly of Experts • The Assembly of Experts is composed of 86 Islamic scholars (mujtahid) who gain office through a popular election held every eight years. • Key powers of the assembly:- Meets twice a year to review the performance of the supreme leader;- Can impeach the supreme leader though this has never been done;- Elects the supreme leader into a lifetime position; and- Can serve to advise the supreme leader. • The Council has sometimes been criticized for being subservient to the supreme leader.

28. Expediency Discernment Council of the System • This body's purpose is to resolve disputes between the Guardian Council and the majlis, should the Guardian Council veto a parliamentary bill and the majlis cannot come to a resolution after the veto. • The Expediency Council also advises the supreme leader regarding possible amendments to the constitution.

29. The Supreme National Security Council • This body is charged with responsibility over sovereignty and territorial integrity, coordinating policy on foreign affairs, defence, and security. • The president chairs this council's meetings. • (Its members are the president, the head of the legislative, head of the judiciary, the top military commander, the officer for planning and budget affairs, two people nominated by the supreme leader, ministers of intelligence, interior, and foreign affairs, and any minister whose cabinet role relates to the issue being discussed.)

30. City and Village Councils • They form the decision making and administrating organs of the state together with the parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Majlis. • This is a vital ingredient of Iran political system that began in 1999 with the council having a 4 year term

31. 3 Branches of the Iran Government  • Iran Legislative Power: Like any other constitution-based political systems, Islamic Republic of Iran requires a body of law makers. Islamic Republic of Iran's Parliament, Majlis, and the Guardians Council form the legislative power in Iran. • Iran Executive Power: Iranian president is the second highest authority after the Islamic Republic of Iran's leadership. He is directly elected by people for a term of four years. • Iran Judiciary Power: The Judicial power is responsible to safeguard people's rights as expressed in the constitution of Iran government.

32. Iranian Legislative Power • Two governmental bodies form Iran legislative power: • Iranian parliament (Majlis) and the Guardian Council. • All the legislation must be first approved by the Majlis and then be ratified by the Guardian Council. 

33. Power of Majlis in Iran Government • In Iran government, all members of parliament (290 MPs), are elected by public vote for a 4-year term. • The Guardian Council first decides who among the candidates is qualified to become an MP and who is not. Then, those whose qualifications are approved, run for the elections.  • Religious minorities, Christians (Armenians and Assyrians), Jews and Zoroastrians, have 5 representatives in the Majlis. There are no gender restrictions to become a member of the Majlis. • The Majlis has a steering board that consists of a speaker, two deputy speakers who run the meetings in his absence and a number of secretaries and provisions administrators.

34. Majlis has the power to: • Debate the motions tabled by the government upon the cabinet's approval, as well as bills tabled by at least 15 MPs, • Debate and inquire into all the national affairs, • Approve international treaties, protocols, agreements and contracts, • Effect minor changes in the border lines by considering the national interests, and by a majority of 4/5 of MPs, • Agree to the cabinet's request for proclamation of martial law for no more than 30 days, • Table a motion of no confidence in the prime minister or any of the ministers and cast vote of confidence or no confidence in the government or in any of the ministers.

35. Guardian Council • The Guardian Council is composed of twelve members: • Six jurists that are nominated by the judiciary and approved by the majlis (parlament) and • Six theologians selected by the supreme leader.  • Members are selected to their posts for a six year period, though the process is phased such that half of the posts come up for review every three years. • **The Guardian Council is very significant in determining the course of politics within the country.

36. Key powers of the council • Can bar potential candidates from running for the presidency, majlis, the Assembly of Experts or in local councils; and • Key powers of the council: Approves all bills that are passed by the majlis. (This power is meant to ensure that legislation adheres to Islamic law and to the constitution. The council has ten days to deliberate but may request additional time if deemed necessary.)

37. Judiciary Power in Iran Government • Iranian judiciary power is an independent branch within Iran government. • The head of Iran judiciary power is appointed by the supreme leader for a period of five years.- He, in turn, appoints the head of the Supreme Court and the chief public prosecutor. • All grievances and complaints are referred to the Ministry of justice, the official authority to handle such issues. 

38. The powers and responsibilities of the Judiciary • Administration and implementation of justice, • Supervision on the proper enforcement of the law, • Supervision on the promotion of legitimate freedoms, • Protection of individual and public rights, • Provision of due process for the resolution of judicial disputes, and • Investigation, prosecution and punishment of criminals in accordance with the Islamic penal code.

39. Courts within the Judiciary • Public courts • Revolutionary Courts • Special Clerical Courts • Supreme Court • Court of Administrative Justice

40. Executive Power in the Iranian Government • The president of Islamic Republic of Iran, the head of Iran executive power, is the second highest authority after the supreme leader. • The head of Iran executive power is also the coordinator of the three branches of the state, legislative, judicial and executive powers in Iran government.

41. Iranian Executive Power • Every four years, the head of the Iran executive power is directly elected by people as president. Such a president can become candidate for a second successive term, but not more than two terms.

42. Qualifications of the Head of Iran Executive Power • Iranian origin and nationality, • Administrative and managerial skills, • Piety and trustworthiness, and, • Belief in the Islamic Republic's fundamental principles and the official religion of the country.

43. Some of the Responsibilities of Iranian President • Signs and supervises the implementation of laws passed by the Majlis, • Signs treaties and other international agreements ratified by the Majlis, • Receives the credentials of foreign ambassadors, • Endorses those of Iranian ambassadors sent abroad, • Presides over the National Security Council.

44. Iranian Government's Vice Presidents and Cabinet • The Iranian president chooses his vice presidents to help him on various issues. (there are 10) • The Iranian president proposes his cabinet members --the final approval of his cabinet members' selection is done by the Majlis. (there are many each with differing responsibilities)