STUDENT NOTES 1

CH. 7 THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

• Islamic Republic of Iran• created by Revolution of 1979• (1) first religious revolution in modern history• (2) culminated in rapid downfall of a powerful, long-

standing autocratic regime (monarchies led by Shah – same as a king)

• (3) used religion as the primary agency of political mobilization

• (4) establishment of a theocracy in late 20th century, infused with strong democratic elements

• Blending of theocratic and democratic features in Iran’s constitution

– split legitimacy– recognizes principles of popular sovereignty

and separation of powers– but, legitimacy also rests on conformity to a

revealed body of religious law

Overview: The Big Picture• System of Government: Mixed Theocratic-

Presidential System• Distribution of Power: Unitary System • Electoral System: weird…• Constitution: Constitution of 1979

(formerly1906)• Legislature: Unicameral—Majles (Parliament,

no PM)• Current Head of State: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,

Supreme Leader• Head of Government: Hassan Rouhani,

President• Major Political Parties: NO INSTITUTIONALIZED

PARTY SYSTEM – Political factions: “conservatives”, “pragmatists”, and “radicals”

Country Bio: Iran• Population: – 76 million

• Territory: – 636,296 sq. miles

• Year of Independence: – 550 B.C.

• Year of Current Constitution: – 1979, amended in

1989• Language: – Persian, regional

languages• Religion:– Twelver Shiite

Muslim 90%, Sunni Muslim 10%, non-Muslims less than 1%

IRAN’S “THEOCRACY”• Sovereignty rests with GOD alone– Therefore, laws of God take precedence over laws of man– BUT– There are elements of God’s sovereignty AND popular

sovereignty in Iran– WHY? History, that’s why

• Current Iranian state set up by Safavid dynasty in early 16th century– Made Twelver Shiism official state religion – followers of

Prophet Muhammad’s descendants aka Imams (political and religious leader) and ONLY the TWELFTH IMAM has LEGITIMATE rule over followers

– Ulema (religious scholars) decided secular rulers were okay as long as they ruled in accordance w/ Islam

Sovereignty, Authority, and Power

• Constitutional Revolution (1905-1909)• Constitution of 1906– BIG PICTURE:

• 1) reflect European democracies– Westernized GOVERNMENT NOT SOCIETY

• 2) “rule by the people” more acceptable than Shah– Direct elections– Separation of powers– Laws made by elected legislature

• Very strong – controlled cabinet members– Popular sovereignty– Bill of Rights– Retained Shiism as official religion

Sovereignty, Authority, and Power• 1921 - Reza Shah carried out coup d’etat

– 4 years later named himself “shah-in-shah” (king of kings)

– Constitution formally in place but NOT recognized– Changed name from Persia to Iran

• 1941-1953 limbo government• Muhammad Reza Shah– formed SAVAK: secret police– authoritarian regime

• Rise of the National Front (opposition)– Led by Muhammad Mosaddeq– Drew support from middle class– Emphasized Iranian nationalism

Sovereignty, Authority, and Power

• Mosaddeq advocated nationalizing the British owned-company that monopolized Iran’s oil business

– Also wanted to take armed forces out from under shah’s control

• Elected Prime Minister in 1951

– Power grew & forced shah to flee country in 1953

• British and U.S. (CIA) orchestrated overthrow of Mosaddeq & restored shah to power…hmmm, I wonder why?

• Political culture of Iran – EVERYTHING IS BLAMED ON A PLOT BY THE WEST

Sovereignty, Authority, and Power• The Shah’s Downfall:

– Became more distant from people over the years– Became very wealthy– Ignored civil liberties– Stifled newspapers, political parties, and

professional associations• By driving opponents underground he strengthened their cause and

willingness to overthrow regime– Alienated clergy, intelligentsia, and urbanites

• Ruhollah Khomeini arrested and exiled for political protest in 1963…returned in 1979 as revolutionary leader/most powerful person in Iran

• Overstepped bounds of political culture:– Perceived as being totalitarian– Secularized too fast– Undermined traditional relationship b/t clergy and Shahs

Sovereignty, Authority, and Power

• 1979 REVOLUTION• Causes

– Shah perceived as being totalitarian– Iran too secular, too tied to West

• Made religion a political force w/ goal of creating an ideal Islamic state

– Struggling economy• Effects

– Theocracy established– Sharia law– Fundamental Islam

• Charismatic leader – Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini• Shah fled country in Feb 1979

• Who and Why? Iranian Revolutions–Who? Middle Class Urban Revolution!• Coalition of intellectuals, university and high

school students and teachers, bazaar merchants, politically active clerics and seminarians, industrial workers, and finally, state employees and white-collared workers

– BIG PICTURE: diverse support for revolution led to current legitimacy issues/policy challenges

–Why? Anti-Shah, Anti-USA• Despotism, corruption, and the alliances with the

United States and Israel united such diverse ideological factions as liberal adherents to 1906 constitution, Marxist-Leninist leftists and Islamists

Sovereignty, Authority, and Power

Sovereignty, Authority, and Power• Islamic Revolution 1979

– Motivated by religion: traditionalists v. modernists– Leader: Ayatollah Khomeini

• Islamic fundamentalism• Jurist’s guardianship aka velayat-e faqih – shia term granting

supreme authority to clergy b/c in the absence of God they know his teaching’s best w/ some deference to constitutional tradition

• April 1979 national referendum was held – voted out monarchy established Islamic Republic– Established a new constitution– Ayatollah Khomeini (Supreme Leader)