The Political Process- How Rulers are Chosen

1. The Political Process- How Rulers are Chosen • The President, representatives to the Majlis, and the Assembly of Religious Experts and chosen by citizens. • The Assembly of Religious Experts then appoints the Supreme Leader. • The Supreme Leader appoints the Guardian Council. • Elections are screened and approved by the Guardian Council. • (Long, 2008) Kristin Knepper

2. Role of Political Parties • Only candidates that believe in the religious system of government can participate in elections. • The candidates are approved by the Guardian Council • The two opposing parties are conservatives and reformists. Since 2009, reformist parties have been very limited from running for office by the Guardian Council. (Asayeshet al, 2011) • Parties earn seats in parliament (Majlis) when the citizens vote. Conservatives have 67 percent of parliament seats since the 2008 elections. (Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, 2012) • Although political parties’ power is limited, parties can bring change, especially if they have majority seats in the Majli. Kristin Knepper

3. Role of Political Parties • Conservative Parties • Uphold principles of 1979 regime • Wary of Western influence, against modernization • Support clerics to run the political system • (Long, Jeff. 2008) • Reformist Parties • Believe political system needs reform • Believe Shi’ite religion is an important basis of Iranian society • Advocate more involvement with Western countries • Support idea that political leaders do not have to be clerics • (Long, Jeff. 2008) Kristin Knepper

4. Role of Interest Groups • Green Movement- people against President Ahmadinejad, started after claims of election rigging in 2009 • There are few distinct, large interest groups in Iran; however most support reform of the government, like the Green movement Kristin Knepper

5. How Individual Citizens Participate in Politics • Voting age is 18 as of 2007 • Citizens vote for the President, members of Parliament, and the Assembly of Experts. • Elections are certainly not fair or free. Fraudulent voting occurs similar to Russia. People of opposition are also jailed and protests shut down. (Amir-Arjomand, Ardeshir. 2012). Kristin Knepper

6. References • <http://www.longovt.com/Political_Institutions_of_Iran.pptx>. • Amir-Arjomand, Ardeshir. (March 1, 2012). Why Irans Election is a Farce. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/01/opinion/why-irans-election-is-a-farce.html>. • Asayesh, Hossein; Halim, Adlina; Jawan, Jayum; Shojaei, Seyedeh. (March 2011). Political Party in Islamic Republic of Iran: A Review. <http://us-iran.org/sites/default/files/webform/userarticle-submissions/political_party_in_ir_iran.pdf>. • Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. February 1 2012. Background Note: Iran. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5314.htm>. • Long, Jeff. (2008). Political Institutions of Iran. • http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/03/iran_power/html/default.stm • http://iran-sabs.blogspot.com/2009/10/interest-groups-in-iran.html

7. a.) The Way Iranian Political Institutions Exercise Power • The faqih is decision maker. • The faqih generally oversees the operation of the government to ensure that its policies and actions conform to Islamic principles.- The constitution also stipulated as head of state an elected president who would choose a prime minister to be head of government, subject to legislative approval. • The Constitution specifically names Khomeini as the faqih for life and provides a mechanism for choosing his successors. • The role of the faqih has evolved into that of a policy guide and arbitrator among competitive views. • Below the faqih a distinct separation of powers exists between the executive and legislative branches. • The executive branch includes an elected president, who selects a prime minister and cabinet that must be approved by the elected legislative assembly, the Majlis. • The judiciary is independent of both the executive and the Majlis. 1.) Political Parties - Constitution legalized political parties, but they were not allowed until Muhammad Khatami’s election in 1997. Liam Klavon

8. b.) Inter-Relationships Between Political Institutions - Major Political Institutions In Iran: Supreme Leader, The Guardian Counsel, Parliament (Manji’s), The President, The Assembly of Religious Experts, The Military, and the Judicial Branch. -One other major extension of the Supreme Leader political institution includes the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), these are similar to Hitler’s Gestapo and are becoming an important growing factor in Iran’s government. -To comprehend the way Political institutions in Iran interact with one another, the concept of the Guardianship of Islamic Jurists must be understood. It is a Shi’a Islam theory that gives an Islamic Jurist guardianship over those who need it. In other words this theory states that the rules and ideals of Shi’a Islam should serve as the rules for a government. In Iranian Government, Ayatollah Khomeini established the Jurist’s Guardianship more or less as the Constitution for the Islamic Republic of Iran. -The Supreme ruler is ultimately the head of power in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Liam Klavon

9. c.) Restraints On Political Institutions • The Iranian Government is supreme in the country and has very little or no restraints placed upon it. It is very much a dictatorship, and despite the illusion of voting by the citizens the candidates are all selected by the government officials appointed by the Supreme Leader. Many laws in the U.S would be absolutely unheard of in Iran. Almost every single business or enterprise is run by a government appointed official. There are very little freedoms for the Iranian citizens and for those who break the law the consequences are quick and severe. Liam Klavon

10. c.) Continued -Powers of Supreme Leader: -Elimination of presidential candidates -Dismissal of the president -Command armed forces -Declares war & peace -Appointment and removal of major administrators and judges -Nominates six members of Guardian Council -Appoints many non-governmental directors, such as radio/TV and semi-public foundations  -Ultimate legal authority does not rest in the constitution, but in shari’a law itself  -Because interpreting Shari’a is difficult it has been applied in different ways at various times -Because of Ayatollah Khomeini, interpretation of Shari’a came to be the standard that would influence all succeeding Iranian leaders.  -Mandated the death penalty for actions such as adultery, homosexuality, drug dealing and alcoholism  -Set up unequal treatment between men & women, and Muslims & non-Muslims

11. c. Continued Qunan Law -Statutes passed by Majlis -“The People’s Law” -Can never contradict Shari’a Shari 'a Law -Islamic law -Considered to be foundation of all Islamic civilization -Shari’a supersedes all other law in Iranian society

12. APA Sources • http://carnegieendowment.org/2012/02/24/battle-for-power-in-iran Liam Klavon

13. Security Of Iran Paige Armstrong

14. Internal Security • Internal security is handled by the Law Enforcement Forces, IRGC, and the Basij • Islamic Republic’s leaders labor to ensure that no one armed or police group can dominate internal security or threaten the regime Paige Armstrong

15. Military • Revolutionary Guard – established by Khomeini after the revolution, a parallel military force to the shah’s traditional armed forces that were the 5th largest at the time. Protects the Republic, while the regular army protects the borders. Revolutionary Guard commanders are appointed by the Supreme Leader. • Basij – volunteer militia of those to young to serve created during Iran-Iraq War. They are the Supreme Leader’s private militia. Can be compared to Hitler’s Nazi Youth. • Iran’s armed forces currently have over 500,000 active troops which makes their army the 8th largest military in the world Paige Armstrong

16. External Security • External military and security operations, including efforts to export the Islamic Revolution Paige Armstrong

17. Ministry of Intelligence and National Security of the Islamic Republic of Iran (MISIRI) • An important part of Iranian government's security apparatus, and is well funded and equipped • Islamicized the judiciary code to interpret shari’a strictly • founded on August 18, 1984, Paige Armstrong

18. Establishing Internal Order • Iran’s security forces developed organically in the course of the revolution, and even more during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) • Ayatollah Khomeini encouraged the growth of multiple competing military organizations during the revolution. He also ordered the formation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in May 1979, for the purpose of securing the revolution from internal challenges Paige Armstrong

19. Functions of Iran's Political Institutions Supreme Leader Ali Khameini • Has rule over all levels of Government • Can Declare war or peace • Nominates members of the Guardian Council • Commands all armed forces • Can remove President from power • faqih – he is the leading Islamic jurist to interpret shari’a and religious documents • Links all three branches of government to together • “Determines the interests of the Islam” Paige Armstrong

20. President • In Iran the President does represent highest official representing democratic principles • Every 4 years a new President is directly elected • Elected by the people • Approved by Guardian Council • Highest state official after Supreme Leader • Must be Shi’ite and uphold Islamic principles • In Charge of devising the Budget • Supervises’ economic matters • Proposes legislation to the Majlis • Executing policie • Signs treaties, laws, and agreements • Chairing the National Security Council • Allowed to appoint vice presidents and cabinet ministers • Appoints provincial governors, town mayors, and ambassadors Paige Armstrong

21. Cabinet • Responsible for the day-to-day work of governance • Most new laws and the budget are initiated and devised by cabinet members Paige Armstrong

22. Guardian Council • 6 members are appointed by the Supreme Leader • 6 members are nominated by chief judge, and approved by Majlis • Decides who can compete in elections • Review all bills passed by Majlis to ensure they conform with shari’a • They represent theocratic principles within the government • In total there are 12 members and they are all male. Paige Armstrong

23. MAJLIS(Parliament) • Created in1906 by the Constitution • The Majlis power was weakened by amendments added in 1989 • There are 290 seats • All directly elected through single member districts by citizens over 15 years old • Unicameral legislature • Have the power to remove Cabinet members from office, but not the President • Approve of the budget, cabinet appointments, treaties, and loans • They Interpret legislation, but can’t interfere Judicial authority • With approval from the Guardian Council, the Majlis can enact or even change Laws Paige Armstrong

24. Elections • Citizens over 15 may vote • Majlis and Presidential elections are winner- take- all. • Elections take place over a two round selection process, the first round is used to narrow down the candidates so that only 2 remain. The second round is used to select the winner of the 2. • National elections are held to decide who will become members of The Assembly of Religious Experts, representative to the Majlis, and to see who will become the next President. Paige Armstrong

25. Cited Works Page • http://www.islamophobiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Iranian_Military_parade.jpg • http://aimore.org/flag/Iran.jpg Paige Armstrong