Download Unit 4 - Iran RC

Name ______________________
Case 4 – Iran
pp. 510 - 529
1. Why study Iran?
It is important to know what is going on in the world around us and how the politics and
lifestyles in Iran differ from those in the US
2. Is Iran a Middle Eastern country? Explain. Yes, they are one of the largest Middle
Eastern countries.
3. What are the critical junctures in Iranian history?
There are many critical junctures in Iranian history, most of them have something to with the
people vs their government for the fight for freedom one of the most famous one is 1980-1988
the war with Iraq
pp. 529 – 535
4. Explain Khomeini’s concept of velayat-e faqih.
Khomeini’s concept of velayat-e faqih, or cleric rule, was the rule by Islamic jurists; also, islamic
republics political system, which places power in the hands of the clerics.
5. What is the state purpose of the Iranian constitution?
The purpose of most constitutions is to hold the government accountable and make rules and
regulations that prevent people from flying off the handle, religion is the main purpose of the
Iranian constitution.
6. What law is the supreme law of the land?
The Iranian Legal System is structured as a civil law following French civil law system. The
government consists of the Supreme Leader, the executive, legislative, and judicial powers.
7. Describe the parts of Iran’s legislature.
The legislature of Islamic republic of Iran consists of two components, a unicameral
parliamentary chamber called Islamic Consultative Assembly and a reviewing power,
the Guardian Council of the Constitution which is more powerful.
8. What is the purpose of the chief justice?
The Chief Justice of Iran is the head of the Judicial system of the Islamic Republic of
Iran and is responsible for its administration and supervision. We talked about the
judiciary and the chief justice. We talked about how the judiciary is a non-elected state
institution and how the chief justice is appointed by the supreme leader.
9. What type of courts exist in Iran?
Supreme court- serves as the highest court of appeal, entirely staffed by high-ranking clerics chosen for
their familiarity with religious law.
Civil and criminal courts- only clerics can serve as judges, contradictory opinions because of the judges
independence in interpreting the law, viewed as most dysfunctional set of institutions in the country.
Revolutionary courts deal with cases of involving national security such as public protests
pp. 535 – 539
10. Are elections important in Iran? Explain.
No, Iran elects on national level a head of state and the head of government (the
president), a legislature (the Majlis), and an "Assembly of Experts" (which elects the
Supreme Leader). City and Village Council elections are also held every four years
throughout the entire country.
11. What powers does the Guardian Council have over elections?
The Constitutional Council is charged with interpreting the Constitution of Iran, supervising
elections, and approving of candidates for the Assembly of Experts, the President and the Majlis,
as well as ensuring the compatibility of the legislation passed by the Islamic Consultative
Assembly
12. What type of election system does Iran use?
The Parliament or Islamic Consultative Assembly currently has 290 members, also elected for a
four-year term in multi- and single-seat constituencies. Elections for the Assembly of Experts are
held every eight years. All candidates have to be approved by the Guardian Council.
pp. 539 – 545
13. How successful was Pres. Khatami in instituting democratic reform?
During his two terms as president, Khatami advocated freedom of expression, tolerance and civil
society, constructive diplomatic relations with other states, including those in Asia and the
European Union, and an economic policy that supported a free market and foreign investment.
14. What happened in the 2009 presidential election?
The 2009 presidential election pitted Ahmadinejad against several rivals among them, Mir Hossein
Mousavi, former prime minister. He campaigned on strongly pro reformist agenda, calling for such
things as a liberalized press, greater rights for women, and more
15. What was important about Rouhani’s 2013 election?
He was elected as President of Iran on 15 June, defeating Tehran mayor Mohammad Bagher
Ghalibaf and four other candidates. He took office on 3 August 2013. In 2013, Time magazine
named him in its list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.
16. Describe Iran’s Civil Society during the past 30 years.
Civial societys are a large part of iraian culture Iran’s civic activism ranges from the work
of independent labor unions to women’s rights groups to environmental
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
pp. 545 – 550
17. Describe modern Iranian nationalism.
Iranian nationalism consists of political and social movements and sentiments prompted by a
love for Iranian culture, Iranian languages and history, and a sense of pride in Iran and Iranian
people. Modern Iranian nationalism rose during the constitutional revolution.
18. Name and explain the different ethnic groups.
19.
Persians- make up majority of population, some groups are closely related to them
Azeris- comprise around 16 percent of the population and are concentrated in the north pf
the country
Kurds- comprise 10 percent of the population, complicated relationship with the state, have
both peaceful and and violent political activism, often in connection with Kurdish groups in
Iraq or Turkey on going conflicts in Iraq will shape Kurdish activism in Iran.
Baluchis- have had discrimination lead to protests and sporadic acts of violence,
discrimination has been a problem among these groups that are not only an ethnic
minority but a religious minority.
19. Why is it hard to classify a unifying ideology in Iran?
In the absence of institutionalized political parties and free expression, it is hard to speak of any
coherent spectrums of ideologies in Iran. A confusing array of terms used : headliners, radicals,
conservatives, traditionalists, reformers, pragmatists, principalists, technocrats. This problem is
exacerbated by the factionalized and clientelist nature of the system.
20. Describe the division between religion and state.
Reformist call for a reduced role for islam in politics favor of the rule of law and democratic
reforms. This group, whose orientation is more secular, also has unexpected allies among many
clerics. In contrast, political conservatives support the relayat-e Fagin and oppose
democritization or the return of faith to a primarily social, as opposed to polictal, role.
21. Describe the division between the state and market.
At the inception of the Islamic republic, there was a schism between those who saw the primary
role of the revolution as bringing about moral order and those who see the revolution as means of
ensuring economic justice. Just as religion has clashed with politics, so, it has led to division
over the economy
pp. 550 – 563
22. How does oil complicate Iran’s economy?
At first they thought that oil reserves would be the salvation of the country, because of all the
resources that it provides, but in reality the opposite can also be the case and instead of providing
the resources, it can also take away many resources as well.
23. What are bonyads?
They are parastatal foundations in Iran made after the Iranian revolution, the objective of
the bonyads are to help the disadvantaged such as war veterans and the poor.
24. What economic problems is Iran facing?
They have high unemployment rates, the unemployment rate in Iran is around 13 percent and
could be far higher. Over 20 percent of men and 40 percent of women around the ages of 20-24
are unemployed.
25. In your opinion, what is Iran’s most pressing issues? Explain.
I think that one of Irans biggest issues is the way that they treat women. I know that a lot of it has to do
with religion but I do think that its wrong that the law will protect the rights of men but not the right of
women. Abusive husbands can get away with a lot and the is ok with it.