The Islamic Republic of Iran

1. The Islamic Republic of Iran

2. Quick Facts • Capital: Tehran • Population: 64.6 million • Growth rate: 3% • Size: slightly larger than Alaska • Major Languages: Persian (Farsi)- 58%, Turkic - 26%, Kurdish - 9% • Religion - Shi’a Muslim (89%), Sunni (10%), Zoro, Jud, Baha’i & Christian (1%)

3. Quick Facts • Importance of Shi’ism - religion has united Persians even in defeat; source of identity for the Iranians • Shi’ism established as state religion in 16th century • Shi’ites established after death of Muhammad - argued successor should be hereditary while Sunnis said he should come from leadership

4. Quick Facts • Shi’ites called heirs of Muhammad IMAMS, which continued until 9th century when 12th Imam disappeared as a child (HIDDEN IMAM) • Hidden Imam will eventually return but until he did, rulers of Iran stood in his place as true heirs of Islam

5. Political Development • The Safavids (1501-1722) • Shi’ite identity traces back to this time • Converted 90% of their subjects • Sunnism survives in border regions amongst Kurds, Turkmen, Baluchis, & Arabs • Safavids had special regard for People of the Book (monotheists)

6. Political Development • The Safavids had serious economic constraints, making it hard to rule - no bureaucracy or standing army • Had to rely on local rulers to keep order & collect taxes • Fragmented by geography and other political & economic factors caused Safavids to lose power

7. Political Development • The Qajars (1794-1925) - Turkish grp. • Separation b/t gov’t & religion widened as Qajars could not tie their legitimacy to descendant of 12 Imams • Ruled during era of European imperialism so suffered land losses • Sold oil-drilling rights to British & borrowed heavily from European banks

8. Political Development • CONSTITUTIONAL REVOLUTION of 1905-1909 - business owners & bankers demonstrated against Qajar’s move to hand over their customs collections to Europeans • Merchants & industrialists demanded written constitution from shah & British encouraged shah to concede since no army to put down insurrection

9. Political Development • Constitution of 1906 modeled after Western ones (elections, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, Bill of Rights) • Created Majles - strong legislature to balance executive power • Given power to make & pass laws & control cabinet ministers • Sparked debate abt sep.of rel. & state

10. Political Development • Shi’ism declared official state religion, only Shi’ites could hold cabinet positions, created Guardian Council of clerics that had power to veto any legislation passed by Majles • But during WWI, Iran divided into 3 parts - Persia, one Russian controlled, one British controlled • 1921- political & economic disarray

11. Political Development • The Pahlavis (1925-1979) • Reza Khan carried out successful coup d’etat & declared himself shah in 1925 • Majles lost power & authoritarian rule reestablished • 1941 turned power over to son Muhammad Reza Shah • 2 groups challenged the 2nd shah

12. Political Development • Tudeh Party (working class trade unions) & National Front, led by Muhammad Mosaddeq (middle class nationalists) • Mosaddeq argued for nationalization of oil, which was controlled by Brits • Elected prime minister in 1951 & power grew, forcing shah to leave in 1953

13. Political Development • Mosaddeq removed from power by Brits w/help from US, who wanted shah installed to protect from Soviets • Iranians came to see Brits & US as supporters of autocracy & shah as weak pawn of foreign powers • Rentier economy - heavily supported by state expenditure, while state receives rent from other countries

14. Political Development • Iran received income by exporting its oil & leasing out oil fields to foreign countries • Income so great by 1970s that gov’t no longer had to rely on internal taxes for its support but paid most of its expenses through oil income • Gov’t didn’t need ppl anymore

15. Political Development • One-product economy but shah encouraged import substitution industrialization for domestic industries • But oil provided 97% of country’s foreign exchange • Highly centralized state under 2 Pahlavi shahs

16. Political Development • State controlled banks, national radio-TV network, & National Iranian Oil Company • 5th largest army in the world by 1979 • Majles became rubber stamper • Courts secularized with European style judicial system & law code • Shah implemented WHITE REVOLU.

17. Political Development • Called that b/c it was meant to counter the “red communists” • Focused on land reform, w/gov’t buying land from absentee owners & selling it to small farmers affordably • Extended suffrage to women, restricted polygamy, & allowed women to work outside of home - further secularization

18. Political Development • Pahlavi shahs established tax-exempt Pahlavi Foundation, a patronage system that controlled large companies that bolstered wealth of shah & supporters • 1975 - formation of Resurgence Party announced by shah - declared Iran 1-party state w/himself as head

19. Political Development • Islamic Revolution & Republic (1979-today) • Unlike revolutions in Mexico, China, & Russia, Iran’s was religious in nature w/leader being a cleric • Revolution resulted in establishment of theocracy while other revolutions generally against religious control of gov’t

20. Political Development • Shah had disturbed Iranians – perceived as totalitarian & not just authoritarian, broke balance between secular & religious, & tied too much to West • He divided nation – one for modernization & closer ties to West while other side defended traditions, esp. Shi’ism

21. Political Development • Charismatic authority of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who defended Islamic fundamentalism • Depicted US as “Great Satan” • 2 factors brought on revolution – oil prices decreased while consumer prices increased & US put pressure on shah to loosen restraints on opposition (allowed many groups to speak)

22. Political Development • April 1979 – Iranian people voted out monarchy & constitution drawn up by Assembly of Religious Experts (directly elected clerics) • Several factors brought clerics popular support – world oil prices rebounded so social programs could be offered, Iraq invaded, & charisma of Ayatollah inspired faith in the gov’t

23. Political Development • 1989 – Khomeini died & Khamenei succeeded him • Not as charismatic or academic • New era began in Islamic Republic • After Iran-Iraq War ended in 1988 & world oil prices fell again, many called for a more democratic gov’t as population criticized authoritarian rule of clerics

24. Political CULTURE • 1. Authoritarianism, but not totalitarianism • 2. Union of political and religious authority • 3. Shi’ism & sharia as central components • 4. Influence of ancient Persia (distinction from Arab Middle East)

25. Political CULTURE • 5. Geographic limitations – mostly desert • 6. Escape from European colonization – Iran never officially colonized by Europeans so did not have as direct impact as in Mexico or Nigeria