2013 Winter Lecture Series - Evolving Iran: The Theocracy Deals with the 21st Century

• Evolving Iran: The Theocracy Grapples with the 21st Century• Barb Flanagan

Introduction

• The circumstances that caused the Islamic Revolution in 1979

• The Political System that was created in the aftermath of the Revolution in 1979

• The Political Evolution of the theocracy in Iran since 1979.

An Introduction to Iran

• Geographic & Demographic Features– 70 million people– A young population– Vast Natural Resources: Oil & Gas– Relationship to the Middle East

Twin Imam Mosque in Esfahan

Iran in the 20th century

• The Pahlavi Monarchy– Reza Khan (ruled Iran 1925-41)– Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1941-1979)

• Reza Khan– Military Leader– Removed from the throne because of his

relationship with Nazi Germany

The Shah: Mohammad Reza Pahlavi• Reasons for his downfall– Attacks on Islam– Reliance on the West– 1953: Operation Ajax– Human Rights Violations

• National Intelligence and Security Organization (SAVAK)

– Economic Problems• White Revolution• Oil Revenues were not redistributed to the people

• Lack of Support from Iranian People

The Revolution of 1979• Protests against the Shah 1978– Khomeini– Shia Grassroots Network

• 1979– Shah flees the country– Referendum changes the Iranian political system to an Islamic

Republic– Over 90% of the population voted for the changes

– Hostage Crisis

The Political System

Political Institutions

• Constitution• President: Ahmadinejad• Parliament: Majles• Judiciary• Supreme Leader: Khamenei• Guardian Council: consists of senior

clerics

Foreign Policy• War with Iraq (1980-88)• Khomeini saw it as a religious war against secular Saddam.• Lots of loss on both sides. • This also allowed Khomeini and his supporters to get rid of

the secular and liberal aspects of the revolution

Foreign Policy

• Support for Terrorism– Hezbollah and Hamas

• War in Iraq (2003)– Support for Shiites in Iraq

• Support for Assad in Syria• Desire to be a Regional Power

The Nuclear Issue

• Nuclear Program• Potential Development of Nuclear Weapons• Attack from Israel? United States?

The Evolution of Domestic Politics

• The Reform Movement in the 1990s• Wanted to promote democracy and reform in

Iran• Khatami was elected president in 1997 on a

platform of reform• His efforts/Reforms:– Freer press– Less social control– More local democracy

The Weakness of the Reform Movement

• Crushed by Guardian Council • Role of the Media• Student Protests

Economic Issues

• Economic Problems– Lack of Jobs– Oil infrastructure needs upgrading– Sanctions– Corruption• Many receive kickbacks from the oil industry

Human Rights Violations• 2009 Election– Mousavi and Ahmadinejad

• Torture• Lack of Basic Political Rights

The Future for Iran

• Greater Democratization?• Progress on Human Rights?• Limiting the Nuclear Program?• More Repression?• Next Supreme Leader?