Iraq 6

Comparative Comparative PoliticsPolitics

Islamic Islamic Republic of Republic of

IranIranPoliSci DepartmentPoliSci DepartmentSUNY @ Stony BrookSUNY @ Stony BrookPOL 103 (Section 2)POL 103 (Section 2)Spring 2005Spring 2005Instructor: Udi SommerInstructor: Udi Sommer

Geography - BordersGeography - Borders

East - Pakistan (909km of border) and East - Pakistan (909km of border) and Afghanistan (936km) Afghanistan (936km)

Northeast - Turkmenistan (1000km)Northeast - Turkmenistan (1000km) North - the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan North - the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan

(500km) and Armenia (35km)(500km) and Armenia (35km) West - Turkey (500km) and Iraq (1458km)West - Turkey (500km) and Iraq (1458km) South - Persian Gulf and the Gulf of OmanSouth - Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman

Political historyPolitical history

World War IWorld War I British interests in the Middle East (oil)British interests in the Middle East (oil) Iranian oil company is foundedIranian oil company is founded Reza Khan – a modernizing tyrant with Reza Khan – a modernizing tyrant with

nationalist tendencies (builds roads, nationalist tendencies (builds roads, railways, unversities, student exchange)railways, unversities, student exchange)

Unpopularity at home, and suspicion he Unpopularity at home, and suspicion he might join the Nazis abroad, lead to his fallmight join the Nazis abroad, lead to his fall

Political historyPolitical history

Role during World War IIRole during World War II Following WWII – heavy Soviet Following WWII – heavy Soviet

involvement in northern Iran.involvement in northern Iran. Marks the beginning of the Cold WarMarks the beginning of the Cold War Shah is replaced by his son under British Shah is replaced by his son under British

influenceinfluence Hopes that Iran would be a constitutional Hopes that Iran would be a constitutional

monarchymonarchy

Political historyPolitical history

Politics quickly becomes unstablePolitics quickly becomes unstable Mussadegh rises to powerMussadegh rises to power Initiates nationalization of oil industryInitiates nationalization of oil industry CIA makes efforts to depose MussadeghCIA makes efforts to depose Mussadegh Under British and American influence the Under British and American influence the

Shah forces Mussadegh from office.Shah forces Mussadegh from office. Profits of oil company are shared evenly Profits of oil company are shared evenly

with foreign nationswith foreign nations

The White RevolutionThe White Revolution

White as opposed to the Bolshevik White as opposed to the Bolshevik revolution in Soviet Union which was redrevolution in Soviet Union which was red

A revolution from aboveA revolution from above Shah wants to win progress economically Shah wants to win progress economically

and socially.and socially.

Elements of the ReformElements of the Reform

1)1) Importing western economic ideasImporting western economic ideas

2)2) Massive government financed heavy Massive government financed heavy industriesindustries

3)3) Land reformLand reform

4)4) Women’s rightsWomen’s rights

5)5) Investment in educationInvestment in education

ProblemsProblems

No increase in democratic representationNo increase in democratic representation CorruptionCorruption Not enough land to allow farmers to make Not enough land to allow farmers to make

their livingtheir living Shiite clergy displeased with reduction of Shiite clergy displeased with reduction of

their influence in educationtheir influence in education

Creates a major division in Iranian politics Creates a major division in Iranian politics (reality in villages and reality in big cities)(reality in villages and reality in big cities)

2 types of opposition to the Shah2 types of opposition to the Shah

From the middle class – aspiring to From the middle class – aspiring to establish a constitutional monarchy.establish a constitutional monarchy.

Opposition from religious sects – despise Opposition from religious sects – despise reforms and the White Revolution, and reforms and the White Revolution, and perceive the Shah to be an American perceive the Shah to be an American puppet.puppet.

Ayatollah KhomeiniAyatollah Khomeini

Leader of opposition to the Shah.Leader of opposition to the Shah. ExileExile Turkey, Iraq, ParisTurkey, Iraq, Paris Organizes a broader populist movement, Organizes a broader populist movement,

using recorded speeches on cassettes, using recorded speeches on cassettes, and through mosques.and through mosques.

In 1978 it is the Islamic groups rather than In 1978 it is the Islamic groups rather than the middle class that rally masses against the middle class that rally masses against the Shah.the Shah.

Key elements of Iranian constitutionKey elements of Iranian constitution

Establish and facilitate people’s ability to live Establish and facilitate people’s ability to live Muslim lifeMuslim life

Opposes monarchyOpposes monarchy Relations with non-Islamic groupsRelations with non-Islamic groups Supervision by Islamic judgesSupervision by Islamic judges Representation of minoritiesRepresentation of minorities Islamic Supreme LeaderIslamic Supreme Leader Foreign policy – independence from USA and Foreign policy – independence from USA and

the Soviet Union.the Soviet Union.

The Constitution – its elementsThe Constitution – its elements

Shiia Islam –official religion.Shiia Islam –official religion. The Supreme Leader:The Supreme Leader:- Head of stateHead of state- Elected and (potentially) deposed by Elected and (potentially) deposed by

Assembly of ExpertsAssembly of Experts- Appoints the 6 religious members of the Appoints the 6 religious members of the

Council of Guardians.Council of Guardians.- May dismiss president.May dismiss president.

The Constitution – its elementsThe Constitution – its elements

The President:The President:- Universal suffrageUniversal suffrage- 4 year terms4 year terms- Appoints and supervises Council of Ministers.Appoints and supervises Council of Ministers.- Coordinates governmentCoordinates government- Selects policiesSelects policies- Council of Guardians screens candidates to the Council of Guardians screens candidates to the

job.job.

The Constitution – its elementsThe Constitution – its elements

The parliament – the MajlesThe parliament – the Majles- Direct and secret ballotDirect and secret ballot- All its legislation is reviewed by the All its legislation is reviewed by the

Council of GuardiansCouncil of Guardians- No members of parliament are members No members of parliament are members

of any of the councils or vice versa.of any of the councils or vice versa.

The Constitution – its elementsThe Constitution – its elements

The Guardian Council of the ConstitutionThe Guardian Council of the Constitution- Authority to interpret constitutionAuthority to interpret constitution- Constitutional review of lawsConstitutional review of laws- Not a legislative body, but a power to veto.Not a legislative body, but a power to veto.- Composed of 6 Islamic clerics (selected by Composed of 6 Islamic clerics (selected by

the Supreme Leader), and 6 memebers the Supreme Leader), and 6 memebers who are lawyers.who are lawyers.

- Does not change with a change in Does not change with a change in Supreme Leader positionSupreme Leader position

The Constitution – its elementsThe Constitution – its elements

The Assembly of Experts:The Assembly of Experts:- Selects Supreme LeaderSelects Supreme Leader- Supervises the activities of the Supreme Supervises the activities of the Supreme

LeaderLeader- Popularly electedPopularly elected- Currently this is a conservative stronghold Currently this is a conservative stronghold

and thus considered a threat to the reform and thus considered a threat to the reform movementmovement

The Constitution – its elementsThe Constitution – its elements

The Expediency CouncilThe Expediency Council- Resolves legislative issues that Majles and Resolves legislative issues that Majles and

Council of Guardians fail to agree uponCouncil of Guardians fail to agree upon- Advises Supreme Leader on matters of Advises Supreme Leader on matters of

national policynational policy- Oversees important policiesOversees important policies- Functions as a cabinet of Supreme LeaderFunctions as a cabinet of Supreme Leader

The Constitution – its elementsThe Constitution – its elements

Judicial AuthorityJudicial Authority- Vested in the Head of the Judiciary, who is Vested in the Head of the Judiciary, who is

appointed by the Supreme Leaderappointed by the Supreme Leader- As an administrative position a Minister of As an administrative position a Minister of

Justice is appointed by the presidentJustice is appointed by the president- Supervises enforcement of laws.Supervises enforcement of laws.- Establishes judicial and legal policiesEstablishes judicial and legal policies

The constitution – The constitution – institutional arrangementinstitutional arrangement

Supreme Leader

Assembly of Experts

Armed Forces

Judicial Authority

Expediency Council

Council of Guardians6 Religious Members6 Lawyers

Majles (The Parliament)

Council of Ministers

President

voters

Key

- supervise - advise - approval

EconomyEconomy

3 components:3 components:

1)1) State economyState economy

2)2) Cooperative economyCooperative economy

3)3) Private economyPrivate economy

Growth since revolution has slowed (due to Growth since revolution has slowed (due to revolution, war, oil price, management, revolution, war, oil price, management, inability to establish market economy)inability to establish market economy)

Latest developmentsLatest developments

Reformers in the Majles and presidencyReformers in the Majles and presidency Conservatives in the Council of Guardians Conservatives in the Council of Guardians

and the Expediency Counciland the Expediency Council Effects of War in Iraq, war in Afghanistan, Effects of War in Iraq, war in Afghanistan,

and ‘Axis of Evil’and ‘Axis of Evil’ Relations with TurkeyRelations with Turkey

Final commentsFinal comments

The importance of the geographical The importance of the geographical location to the centrality of Iran in world location to the centrality of Iran in world affairs – consequential to domestic politics affairs – consequential to domestic politics (e.g. relations with the USA).(e.g. relations with the USA).

The level of democracy – some The level of democracy – some democratic features, defined as a non-democratic features, defined as a non-democracydemocracy