Iran

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