Iran By Adamiller, Suprak, and Me!
IranBy Adamiller, Suprak, and Me!
IranThe World’s only theocracy
Form of Government in which all laws are grounded in religion and a clergy exercises supreme power
Genuine theocracies are rare
I RAN INTO BACKGROUND
The Islamic Republic of Iran was established in 1979
Poor, middle-class, Religious, and secular people overthrew Mohammad-Reza Shah Pahlavi
Ruhollah Khomeini authored a blue print for theocratic government
In this government, democracy was opposed
Iran’s Background
Shari’a Law, Divine Law, is interpreted and applied by the ulema takes precedence of legislative human law
There current system was formulated to adhere to shari’a as well as have democratic principles
Ethnic Cleavage
• Ethnicity– 61% Persian, 16% Azeri, 10% Kurd, 6% Lur, 2%
Baloch, 2% Arab, 2% Turkish, 1% percent other• Language– Official language is Persian (53%), Azeri and
Turkish Dilects are 18%, Kurdish is 10%, Gilaki and Mazandrani 7%, Luri 6%, Balochi 2%, Arabic 2%, other 2%
• Muslim is official religion (98%), out of Muslim 89% Shia – 9% Sunni, 2% other (Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha’i)
Religious Cleavage
Shiites
Sect of Islam who believe to be true descendants of Muhammad.
Hereditary successors to ImansSome believe the Iman line continues to runOthers believed the Twelfth Inman
disappeared from the world to return and bring just law
Believers of this call themselves the Twelver Shiites
Head of State
• Iran’s supreme leader : Ali Hoseini Khamenei• President: Mahumd Ahmadj-nejad
Powers of Head of State Supreme Leader
1. Delineation of the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran after consultation with the Nation's Expediency Discernment Council
2. Supervision over the proper execution of the general policies of the systems.
3. Issuing national decrees and referendums
Powers of Head of State4. Assuming supreme command of the armed forces
5. Declaration of war and peace, and the mobilization of the armed forces.
6. Appointment, dismissal, and acceptance of resignation of:the Fugaha’ on the Guardian Councilthe supreme judicial authority of the country.the head of the radio and television network of the Islamic
Republic of Iranthe chief of the joint chief of staff the chief commander of the armed forces of the country.
Powers of the Head of State7. Resolving differences between the three wings of the
armed forces and regulation of their relations.
8. Resolving the problems, which cannot be solved by conventional methods, through the Nation's Expediency Discernment Council.
9. Signing the decree formalizing the elections in Iran for the President of the Republic by the people.
10. Dismissal of the President of the Republic, with due regard for the interests of the country, after the Supreme Court Holds him guilty of the violation of his constitutional duties, or after an impeachment vote of the Islamic Consultative assembly (Parliament) testifying to his incompetence on the basis of Article 89 of the constitution.
11. Pardoning or reducing the sentences of convicts, within the framework of Islamic criteria, on a recommendation (to that effect) from the head of the Judiciary. The leader may delegate part of his duties and powers to another person.
Powers of the Head of State
Council of Guardians
Half of the council appointed by the supreme leader
Powers of the Council of Guardians1. Determine compatibility with Islam of laws
approved by Parliament2. Monitor all elections (preselects Candidates)3. Interpret the constitution
Powers of the President
• Signs bills into law once they are approved by the legislature
• Appoints members of the cabinet and provincial governors (subject to legislature's approval)
Elections of Executives
• The Supreme Leader is appointed for life by the assembly of experts, must be a well learned ulema, a Twelver shiite, and male
• President elected through popular vote for four year terms (eligible for 2nd consecutive term), must be a Twelver Shiite and male.
Assembly of Experts
• Deliberative body of Mujtahids, Islamic scholars, that are charged with electing and removing the supreme leader
• Elected every 10 years by universal suffrage• Could be considered more powerful than the
supreme leader, since they elect and dismiss the supreme leader
Legislative
• Unicameral• Referred to as the Islamic Consultative Assembly,
or the “People’s House”• Consists of 290 members – 8% women– Five members represent non-Muslim minorities
Powers of Legislature
• The assembly can impeach the president on grounds of misconduct
• Remove cabinet members
• Propose and approve legislation
• Approve legislation proposed by the president
Election of Legislators
• Legislators are elected by popular vote from single and multimember districts to serve four year terms
• Originally legislators were clerics or high ranking members of Islam
• As time when on, religious background became less prominent
Judicial
• Judicial branch referred to as Ministry of Justice
• An independent power• Head of the ministry is appointed by the
supreme leader for a five year term
Court Structure
• Court system based upon the French Inquisitorial system – the court is actively involved in the investigation of
the facts• The Iranian court structure includes
Revolutionary courts, Public courts, Courts of Peace, and Supreme courts of Cassation