IRAN

“axis of evil” - The Original “axis of evil” list was established by George W Bush in 2002 which included Iraq, Iran, and North Korea since then it has expanded to include Cuba, Libya, and Syria.

- Iran became a part of the “axis of evil” when George W Bush in his State of the Union address labeled Iran as “terrorist allies” along with the National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice, making comments infering that Iran had imidiately began to aqiuire weapons of mass distruction just after the 9/11 attacks _ another “axis” that has formed is the “axis of Diesel’ which includes Iran, Russia and Venezuela; in this agreement there was billions of dollars of arms sales, to both Venezuela and the Iranian nuclear facilities. Later on China, North Kora, and Syria joined the axis.

Muhammad Reza Shah • Born: October 26, 1919- Died: July 27, 1980• Maintained a pro-western foregin policy, fostered and

promoted economic development in Iran • The White Revolution was a national development program

that included the expansion of road, rail, and air networking, along with the eradication of disease and an increase in irrigation projects- this solidified domestic support but continued to face political and religious critisism

• His downfall is mostly due to his autocratic rule, corruption in his government, the unequal distribution of oil wealth, forced westernization, and the activities of Savak (the secret police)

Fun fact: he had three wives and divorced two of them because their first born was not a boy

Sunni MuslimsSect of Islam that believes that the Arab Caliphate was the true successor ofProphet Mohammed, and comprises a majority in the Muslim world.The word “Sunni” comes from the word Sunnah in Arabic which means thewords and actions or example of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.About 4% to 8% of Iranians belong to the Sunni branch of Islam, mainly Kurdsand Iran's Balochi Sunni.Considered more moderate than Shi’ites; considered orthodox and only supportdescendants of muhammad as leaders.Most Sunnis in Iran are Larestani people (from Larestan), Turkomen, Baluchs,and Kurds living in the south, southeast, northeast and northwest.DOn’t fit in to the typical Shi’ites in Iran; similarly to Judaism and Islam in Russiawhich is dominated by the eastern orthodox.

Revolution of 1979

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-Lasted from January 1978 to February 1979, led to the overthrow of Pahlavi dynasty in Iran. It was caused by the public being discontent with the Shah's rule and social injustice that existed under the monarchy. The revolution was led by Ruhollah Khomeini, who became the Supreme Leader when the Shah was overthrown.

-The revolution was characterized by an overwhelming amount of protests, demonstrations, and strikes in Iran, specifically between August and December of 1978. Iran was voted, by national referendum, to become the Islamic Republic, and was taken over by Khomeini after Shah Pahlavi was exiled in January of 1979.

-A similar instance of a revolution such as this one, was the Mexican revolution in 1910 that ended the dictatorship in Mexico and institued a constitutional democracy.

Rentier State

-A state that derives a substantial portion of its revenue on a regular basis from payments by foreign concerns in the form of rent. A rentier state profits largely from exporting natural resources.

-An example of a rentier state is Iran, whose oil exports earn $50 billion a year and provide more than 70% of the revenues for the Iranian government. In countries like Iran, taxes are low, but the major problem is that these countries depend on commodities like oil; and citizens of Iran become disposable because they no longer provide substantial revenue.

-Another example of a country that benefits from foreign revenue from oil exports in Mexico, however now to the extreme degree of reliance that Iran does.

Cultural Revolutionlaunched by Shia leaders, similar to Mao's goals in China, aimed to purify fromsecular values and behaviors, liberals cleared away from universities.This campaign was started in 1980 to purge revolutionary forces from universitycampuses.Directed by the Cultural Revolutionary Headquarters and later by the SupremeCultural Revolution Council, the revolution initially closed universities for threeyears and after reopening, banned many books and purged thousands ofstudents and lecturers from the schools.[2]

The cultural revolution sometimes involved violence in taking over the universitycampuses. Higher education in Iran had many leftist forces who opposedAyatollah Khomeini. The resistance of Khomeiniist control at many universitieswas largely unsuccessful. The government's process of censoring foreigninfluences has not been without conflict.This event interrupted freedom, education and professional livelihoods, andstruck a major blow to Iran's cultural and intellectual life and achievement.Many teachers and technocrats emigrated. The loss of job skills and capital hasweakened Iran's economy.

White Revolution

• Reform program initiated by Mohammad Mossadegh in January 1963• Included land reforms, naturalization of forests, resources, and

pasturelands, nationalization of government owned enterprises, profit sharing, suffrage, formation of the literacy, health, and reconstruction/development corps, an introduction of social security and health insurance, educational advances, and measures to fight corruption

• The White Revolution is similar to the Great Leap Forward and the Property Laws that were enacted in China during the 20th century

HOS and HOG

Head of Government (Supreme Leader)– Combines religious and temporal authority– Chosen by Assembly of Experts (ulemas), who selects the most talented ulema to rule for

life– establishes key figures and heads the economic organizations

Head of State (President)– “Elected” through universal suffrage (chosen by Council of Guardians to serve a 4 year term– Must be male and a Twelver Shiite– Appoints cabinet and provincial governors and signs bills into laws Similar to the CCP’s control over China. The one group has all the real power but the

traditional government doesn’t have any major impact without the support of the supreme leader

SHARI’AH LAW

Shari’ah Law is the canonical law of Islam, meant to embody a vision of a community in which all Muslims have the same moral values

The new regime of the Islamic Republic interpreted shari’ah law very strictly by allowing mandated death penalties for activities like adultery, homosexuality, drug dealing, and alcoholism.

A DEFENSIVE REACTION AGAINST THE SPREAD OF SCIENTIF IC VIEWS OF NATURE AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR, AND THE L IBERTARIAN VALUES AND

ATTITUDES THAT ACCOMPANY THESE VIEWS IN IRAN, FUNDAMENTALISM CAN BE SEEN IN

THE USE OF SHARI ’AH LAW, WITH ISLAM AS THE BASIS OF THE LEGAL CODE

ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST IDEOLOGY IS USED BY GROUPS L IKE THE BOKO HARAM IN

NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Fundamentalism/Islamism

Imams- An imam is an Islamic position held by a high ranking Mosque leader of worship. Abu Bakr is a famous example of one of these religious leaders. These positions can be related to Russian nomenklatura, in that political positions are given to the elite who are not necessarily politicians.

Secularization- the transition from religious to nonreligious. Reza shah made secularization law during his regime and forbade displays of religion. This oppression of culture is similar to recent situations of civil rights denial in Russia.

Sayyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei- the second and current Supreme Leader of Iran and a Muslim cleric. Ali Khamenei succeeded Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the Iranian Revolution, after Khomeini's death, having been elected as the new Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts on June 4th 1989. He had also served as the President of Iran from 1981 to 1989. He can be associated with Vladimir Putin, in that he excercises supreme power over his country’s government, whereas he differs only in that his ultimate power is outright granted, and Putin’s is a result of corrupt elections and bullish tactics.

Theocracy- A nation or state in which the clergy exercise political power and in which religious law is dominant over civil law. Iran is an example of a theocracy, as its government is overseen by the supreme leader, who excersies power based on Islamic principles, and is evaluated by the Assembly of Religious Experts. This relates to twentieth and nineteenth century China, as the government was ruled with confucian influence, despite not being designated as a theocratic government.

OPEC

- The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries

- International organization headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

- established in Baghdad, Iraq on 10–14 September 1960

- OPEC's mission is "to coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its member countries and ensure the stabilization of oil markets

Faqih• An expert in fiqh, or Islamic

jurisprudence and Islamic Law

• Deal with the observance of rituals, morals and social legislation in Islam.

• Help with comprehension and implementation of Shari’ah law.

Reza Shah Pahlavi (15 March 1878 – 26 July 1944)

Shah of Iran (Persia) from 15 December 1925 to 16 September 1941.

Led the 1921 Persian coup d'état, in 1925 Rezā Shāh deposed Ahmad Shah Qajar, the last Shah of the Qajar dynasty, and founded the Pahlavi dynasty. He established a constitutional monarchy that lasted until overthrown in 1979 during the Iranian Revolution. Reza Shah introduced many social, economic, and political reforms during his reign, ultimately laying the foundation of the modern Iranian state. His legacy remains controversial to this day: his defenders assert that he was an essential modernizing force for Iran (whose international prominence had sharply declined during Qajar rule), while his detractors assert that his reign was often despotic, with his failure to modernize Iran's large peasant population eventually sowing the seeds for the Iranian Revolution. Moreover, his insistence on ethnic nationalism and cultural unitarism along with forced detribalization and sedentarization resulted in suppression of several ethnic and social groups.

Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolutionoften called Revolutionary Guards or Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps ("IRGC")

Founded after the Iranian revolution on 5 May 1979. Whereas the regular military (artesh) defends Iran's borders and maintains internal order, according to the Iranian constitution, the Revolutionary Guard (pasdaran) is intended to protect the country's Islamic system. The Revolutionary Guards state that their role in protecting the Islamic system is preventing foreign interference as well as coups by the military or "deviant movements”. In recent years it has developed into a multibillion-dollar business empire, and is reportedly the third-wealthiest organization in Iran. Since its origin it has taken an ever more assertive role in virtually every aspect of Iranian society. Its expanded social, political, military, and economic role has led many analysts to argue that its political power has surpassed even that of the Shia clerical system.

OPEC

OPEC- A cartel that aims to manage the supply of oil in an effort to set the price of oil on the world market, in order to avoid fluctuations that might affect the economies of both producing and purchasing countries.• Iranians have attempted to nationalize oil and have a hub of oil at their disposal.

The control the oil markets for most of the civilized world.• Russia is in competition with Iran/OPEC to control the oil markets• Russia is not a member of OPEC and has suffered enormously because of OPEC’s

decision to seek contractions in oil production from abroad.

National Front

National Front- A political opposition party founded by Mohammad Mosaddegh and other secular Iranian nationalist leaders who had been educated in France in the late 1940s. It held power in the Iranian parliament for several years prior to the 1953 Iranian coup d'état and continued as an opposition force thereafter.• drew support from middle-class people emphasizing Iranian nationalism• Opposed western domination of Iran’s natural resources• The goal of the National Front was to nationalize Iran’s oil resources and to

counteract British dominance of Iran's international affairs by initiation direct relations with the United States

Shah Muhammad Reza Pahlavi

“The Last Shah” 1941-1979………………………………………………………………………………

About:• Put into power by Soviets, Great Britain, and U.S. during WWII to

replace pro-Germany shah who had been in power• Overthrown in 1979 after Iranian Revolution, forced to flee from

riots• Replaced by Khomeini

Actions in Office / Policies:• Started the SAVAK (secret police, domestic security and

intelligence service) with help from CIA• Began reform program in 50s and 60s that sought to centralize

and modernize Iran• Became important U.S. ally; received a lot of U.S. aid• Stocked up on weapons and made Iran 5th largest world military

by 1976• Tried to limit political influence of religion by limiting role of

Islamic legal and academic experts (very unpopular)

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

President 2003-2013………………………………………………………………………………

About:• Elected as 6th president in 2003, reelected 2009 • Anti-Shah• Leader of the Alliance of Builders of Islamic Iran (coalition of

conservative Iranians)

Actions in Office / Policies:• Gas rationing plan: reduced fuel consumption and amount of

interest banks could charge• Supported nuclear program• Took a different direction in foreign policy by severing ties with

western world and rest of world in general• Super duper unpopular in the UN (anti-Semitic, said U.S. gov did

9/11, said Israel should be wiped off the map, called Holocaust a myth)

Criticism:• Criticized for human rights violations• High inflation, decline in growth, massive corruption• Hostility towards Saudi Arabia, Israel UK and US

Khatami, Mohammad

Khatami served as the fifth president of Iran from 1997-2005. attracted global attention during his first election to the presidency when he captured almost 70% of the vote. Khatami had run on a platform of liberalization and 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. Khatami was no minated for the global dialogue award recently for his work on a global dialogue between nations.

The Global Dialogue Prize is one of the world's most significant recognitions for research in the Humanities, honoring "excellence in research and research communication on the conditions

Irans government has put a banned on any information or images being released about Khatami

Khanemei, Ayatollah Ali

The dominant ruling figure in Iran is not the president but the dominant ruling force, the supreme leader, ayatollah Ali kanemei. The Iranian constitution endows tremendous authority to the supreme leader over all state institutions and ayatollah has found many other ways to enforce his power and increase his influence. He has held the post since 1989. Whether it be in the institution or not, the executive, legislative and judicial branches operate under his complete sovereignty. His ideals with ultimately shape Iranian policy. He is the second largest ruling autocrat in the Middle East as well as the longest serving Iranian leader in the last century.

• “IS A POST-AGE-OF-OCCULTATION THEORY IN SHIA ISLAM WHICH HOLDS THAT ISLAM GIVES A FAQĪH (ISLAMIC JURIST) CUSTODIANSHIP OVER PEOPLE.”

THEY DEAL WITH RELIGIOUS ENDOWMENTS, LAWS, ENACTING JUDICIARY MATTERS

STUDYING LAWS BASED ON THE QUR'AN, SUNNAH AND THE TEACHINGS OF THE TWELVE IMAMSUPDATE LAWSDISCUSS VARIOUS PROBLEMSHELP IN LEGAL DISPUTES; ANDDISTRIBUTE THE KHUMS CONTRIBUTIONS TO WORTHY WIDOWS, ORPHANS, AND INDIGENT MALE DESCENDANTS OF THE PROPHET

THEY MUST BE MUST BE CLERICS, AND THE COURTS

SIMILAR???THE JUDICIARY SYSTEM IN CHINA IS SIMILAR BECAUSE IT IS NOT LEGITIMATE WHATSOEVER AND BASICALLY ONLY REAL ON PAPER, OTHER THAN THAT IT IS NOT SIGNIFICANT

Jurist’s Guardianship

A BODY OF MUJTAHIDS(ISLAMIC THEOLOGIANS) THAT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO ELECT AND REMOVE THE SUPREME LEADER OF IRAN AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPERVISING HIS ACTIVITIES.

THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY ARE ELECTED FOR AN EIGHT YEAR TERM HOWEVER, THEY ARE HANDPICKED TO BE APPROVED CANDIDATES

LAWS REQUIRE THEM TO MEET FOR TWO DAYS EVERY SIX MONTHS

IN THE EVENT THAT HE RESIGNS, DIES, OR IS DISMISSED THE ASSEMBLY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING HIM

THE ASSEMBLY HAS NEVER DISMISSED A SITTING SUPREME LEADER AND THEY HAVEN’T BEEN KNOWN TO EVER CHALLENGE HIM

"ISLAMIC SCHOLARSHIP, JUSTICE, PIETY, RIGHT POLITICAL AND SOCIAL PERSPICACITY, PRUDENCE, COURAGE, ADMINISTRATIVE FACILITIES AND ADEQUATE CAPABILITY FOR LEADERSHIP.” ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR BEING

THEY CONTINUE TO MONITOR WHAT THE LEADER DOES TO MAKE SURE HE IS ABIDING BY EVERYTHING AND FULFILLING HIS DUTIES

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A FEMALE ASSEMBLY MEMBER

SIMILAR?????THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT COULD BE CONSIDERED SIMILAR BECAUSE THEY ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY OF REMOVING A LEADER WITH THE VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE

Assembly of Religious experts

17. JURIST’S GUARDIANSHIPJURIST’S GUARDIANSHIP IS A POST-AGE-OF-OCCULTATION THEORY INSHIA ISLAM WHICH HOLDS THAT ISLAM GIVES A FAQĪH (ISLAMIC JURIST)CUSTODIANSHIP OVER PEOPLE. (WIKI)BUT THIS IS OPEN TO INTERPRETATION! (LIMITED, NO SPECIFIC PERSONINVOLVED + ABSOLUTE, EVERYONE)DEVELOPED BY AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI, SUPPORTS THE NOTION THATSENIOR CLERICS HAVE THE BEST CAPACITY TO RULE MUSLIM SOCIETY.

38. SUPREME LEADERTHE SUPREME LEADER IS MORE POWERFUL THAN THE PRESIDENT OF IRANAND APPOINTS THE HEADS OF MANY POWERFUL POSTS IN THE MILITARY, THECIVIL GOVERNMENT, AND THE JUDICIARY.ORIGINALLY IRAN'S CONSTITUTIONSTATED THAT THE LEADER MUST BE THE HIGHEST RANKING CLERIC ANDAUTHORITY ON RELIGIOUS LAWS IN USULI TWELVER SHIA ISLAM. HOWEVER, IN1989, THE CONSTITUTION WAS AMENDED TO REQUIRE SIMPLY ISLAMIC"SCHOLARSHIP" OF THE LEADER, I.E., THE LEADER COULD BE A LOWER RANKINGCLERIC.

Majlis• The national legislative body of Iran, containing 290 representatives• Originally the lower house of Iranian legislature as created in 1906

with Shah Reza Pahlavi, but changed after the Islamic Revolution in 1979

• Women first allowed entry in 1963, and now hold about 8% of seats• About 5% of seats belong to religious minorities• In 2012 elections reformists were barred by the Guardian Council

from running, and Khamenei supporters ended up with the majority of seats

• Members elect their speaker during the first session of the year for a one year term

STATISTS V. FREE MARKETERS• Statists- believe the government should take an active role in controlling

the economy: redistributing land and wealth, eliminating unemployment, financing social welfare programs, price ceilings

• Free Marketers- want to remove price controls, lower business taxes, encourage private enterprise, balance the budget, believe in the same market principles that guide the United States, envision it working within context of theocratic state

• (RIFTS HAPPEN, especially in the Majles)• ex) Nationalization of oil in 1980s= statist approach• Statists can be compared to the Soviet philosophy of a 5 year plan which

developed a national economy (free marketers more like the U.S)

CONSTITUTION OF 1979• Present constitution of Iran created post Revolution of 1979,

which codified Shari'ah Law while combining both theocratic and democratic elements (God is sovereign.. so is the Majles)

• ex) Shari'ah Law requires president to be Shi'ite

• Rule by Law in China is similar to Shari'ah Law in that it uses the law to keep the government in power (in Iran's case, Shiism is promoted by this).

• Russia's Soviet regime ends, Russian Constitution of 1993 begins

Iran's Pahlavi Regime ends, Iranian Constitution of 1979 begins