Islamic republic of iran

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ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

description

Islamic republic of iran. Geography. Arid plateau around 4000 feet above sea level Bounded by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, Turkey and Iraq. King Darius - Zoroastrianism. Iranian sovereigns were hereditary military leaders - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Islamic republic of iran

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ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

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Geography

Arid plateau around 4000 feet above sea level

Bounded by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, Turkey and Iraq

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King Darius - ZoroastrianismIranian sovereigns were hereditary

military leadersDarius built capital of PersepolisBuilt intricate system of roadsKing’s authority supported by strong

military as well as state-sponsored religion: Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism did not survive as major religion but continued to be practiced regularly until 7th century CE.

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Shi’ismBetween 7th & 16th centuries CE religion

held Iran togetherNumerous invasions by Arabs introduced

Islam to the regionEven when Iranian caliphate was defeated

by Mongols in 13th century the Mongolians converted to Islam

Shi’ism established as state religion in 16th century

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Shi’ism IIShi’ites – after Muhammad’s death they felt that

leadership of the Muslims should be hereditary and pass to Muhammad’s son-in-law, Ali.

Sunnis favored choosing a caliph from the accepted Sunni leadership

When Ali was killed the Shi’ite opinion became a minority one, but they kept their separate identity

True heirs of Islam were the descendants of AliThe heirs (Imams) continued until the 9th century,

when the 12th descendant disappeared as a a child, to become known as the “Hidden Imam”

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Twelver Shi’ism“Hidden Imams”12th Imam disappeared as a child in 874 CE, did

not die however, will come forward and show himself to establish just rule at the end of times, when injustice and corruption reign supreme (Messiah-like figure)

Ulema were willing to give the right to rule to the shahs as long as they ruled justly

By end of the 17th century for a shah’s rule to be legitimate he had to have the ulema’s endorsement

Ulema ultimately establish themselves as an institution independent of the state, tithes were often paid to the ulema directly giving them both political and economic influence

The center of Twelver Shi’ism is the city of Najaf, in Iraq

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Safavid Empire (1501-1722)Established Shi’ite identity in IranBy mid-17th century converted 90% of population to

Shi’ismTolerated “People of the Book” – monotheistic

religions based on holy books similar to the Qur’anSerious economic problems do to breakup of the Silk

RoadHad no money for large bureaucracy or standing

armyRelied on local rulers to maintain order and collect

taxesClaimed absolute power but lacked a central stateMonarchy became separated from society and lost

power by 1722

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Qajars (1794-1925)Turkish people that reconquered Iran at end of 18th

centuryMoved capital to TehranCould not claim to be descendents of Twelve ImamsShi’ite clerical leaders could claim more power as

interpreters of Islam, separation between government and religion widened

Suffered land loss to European empires of 19th century, sold oil rights to British in the southwest

Shah led country into serious debtIranians upset over shah’s lavish lifestyle look for

change that would be initiated by bankers and businessmen

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Constitutional RevolutionConstitution of 1906

ElectionsSeparation of PowersLaws made by an elected legislaturePopular sovereigntyBill of Rights guaranteeing citizen equality,

protection of the accused, and freedom of expression

Majlis & Guardian Council createdShi’ism becomes official state religion

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Pahlavis (1925-1979)By early 1920’s Iran in political and

economic disarrayMajlis divided by quarreling factionsIran divided into three parts after WWI

with Russia and Great Britain each occupying a third of the country

Cossack Brigade of the Qajar’s led by Colonel Reza Khan carries out coup d’etat in 1921 and claims himself shah-in-shah in 1925 establishing the Pahlavi dynasty

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Pahlavi’s continuedAuthoritarian rule reestablished in IranMajlis loses its powerReza Shah passes power to his son,

Muhammad Reza Shah in 1941Democratic experiment of 1906 constitution

not forgotten, shah challenged domesticallyTudeh Party (communists)National Front (nationalists) Muhammad

MossadeqMossadeq overthrown by CIA in 1953, Shah

reinstated

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Pahlavi - OIL & the Rent-seeking stateIran transformed into rent-seeking state under

Pahlavi’s because of increasing income from oil Rentier Economy: heavily supported by state expenditure,

while the state receives “rents” from other countriesIran received increasing revenue from exporting oil

and leasing oil fields to foreign countriesAlthough shah promoted import substitution

policies by 1979 oil & associated industries provided 97% of foreign exchange and majority of Iran’s GNP

Oil revenue became so great government did not have to rely on internal taxes to generate income, paid expenses from oil profits The people become unnecessary to the government in a

rentier state

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Pahlavi Influence Centralized State

State banks National radio/TV networks National Iranian Oil Company (NOIC) Central Bureaucracy controlled local governments Majlis became “rubber-stamp” legislature Secularization in judicial branch (European-style judicial

system) “White Revolution”

Armed forces 5th largest in world by 1979 Patronage – shah’s boost personal wealth by seizing

property and establishing tax-exempt Pahlavi Foundation that controlled large companies and fed their wealth

Muhammad Reza Shah formed Resurgence Party, claimed Iran was one-party state, named himself head

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Pahlavi – “White Revolution”“White” to counter influence of “red”

communistsLand reform – government bought land

from large absentee owners and sold it to farmers at affordable prices

Encourage agricultural entrepreneurship with irrigation canals, dams, & tractors

Women’s rights (secularization)SuffrageRestricting PolygamyWomen allowed to work outside the home

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Islamic Revolution & the Republic (1979-present)

Dominant ideology of Iranian revolution: ReligionLeader a cleric (Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini)Theocracy establishedFundamental Islam

CausesShah perceived as being totalitarianBalance between secular and religious state

rupturedTies with US and the Western world

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Khomeini, Fundamentalism, & Revolution

Islamic FundamentalismLiteral interpretation of Islamic textsSocial conservatismPolitical traditionalism

Resentment towards elites, US, and the Western worldUS was the “Great Satan”

Velayat-e faqih (jurist’s guardianship)Senior clergy given authority over entire Shi’ia

community

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RevolutionOil prices decrease about 10% in late 70sConsumer prices in Iran increase about 20% at the

same time“Revolution of Rising Expectations” – revolutions

occur when people are doing better than they once were and a set back occurs

US puts pressure on shat to loosen restrictions on civil society, in particular restraints on political opposition

Once restrictions were eased many groups join the revolt (students, teachers, labor groups, oil workers, merchants, and professional associations)

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Revolution II1978

Unarmed demonstrators killed in central square Tehran

Oil workers go on strikeAnti-regime rallies attract 2 million

participantsRallies organized and led by

clericsShah flees the country in

February 1979Khomeini returns to Iran from

exile in Paris

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Islamic RepublicApril 1979 referendum held,

Iranians officially vote out the shah, Islamic Republic established

Assembly of Religious Experts – 73 clerics elected by the people draft a new constitution in 1979

US-Iranian hostage crisis on-going during vote to ratify constitution

99% of electorate vote to endorse constitution although only 75% of eligible voters cast votes

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Khomeini & the Islamic RepublicClerics consolidate powerPopular support for regime high

World oil prices rise again, allowing for social programs, improvements in medicine & housing

Iraq invades Iran, people rally around the government Charisma of Khomeini inspired faith in the government

Khomeini dies in 1989, constitution amended Ali Khamenei succeeds Khomeini, does not have the

same political charisma as the Ayatollah Iran/Iraq war ends in 1988, country war-torn Oil prices drop in 1990’s Population begins to question authoritarian rule of the

clerics

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Constitution of 1979Document & 40 Amendments (Some

added in 1989)Mixture of theocracy and democracyPreamble reflects importance of religionVelayat-e faqih (Jurist’s guardianship)Gave broad authority to Khomeini and the

clerics

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Political CleavagesReligion

Ethnicity

Social Class

Reformers vs. Conservatives

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Religion89% of Iranians are Shi’a Muslims

10% are Sunni Muslim The constitution does not mention Sunni’s and their legal

status is therefore unknown1% are combination of Jews, Christians,

Zoroastrians, and Baha’i Constitution recognizes rights of religious minorities, many

religious minorities have left country since Islamic Revolution

Baha’i considered unholy offshoot of Islam and they have been persecuted by Shi’ite governments.

Baha’i leaders have been executed, imprisoned, tortured, their schools closed and property confiscated

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Ethnicity51% Persian (speak Farsi)24% Azeri

Live mostly in the northwest close to Azerbaijan, this causes tension with Iranian government worried that Azeri may want to unite part of Iranian territory with Azerbaijan

Azeri do not speak Farsi, but they are mostly Shi’ite, Ali Khameini was Azeri

8% Gilaki & Mazandarani7% Kurds

Predominantly Sunni3% Arabic

Predominantly Sunni

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Social ClassPeasantry and middle class support

Islamic regimeBenefited from government social programs.

Provided electricity & paved roadsMiddle & Upper-middle class largely

secularizedCritical of clericsHave not fared well economically under the

Republic this reinforces their cultural and political views

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Political CultureAuthoritarianism (not totalitarianism) –

leaders claim to be all powerful, but do not interfere with every aspect of the citizens lives

Union of political & religious authorityShi’ism & Sharia – key components of everyday lifeEscape from European ColonialismGeographic Limitations – limited arable land

forced expansion through military conquest, population of Iran unevenly distributed in cities and northwestern part of country

Influence of Ancient Persia

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Political CultureShi’ism unifying thread to political cultureMulti-faceted political culture:

AuthoritarianismUnion of political and religious authorityShi’ism and shari’a central componentsNo European colonizationGeographic limitationsInfluence of ancient Persia

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Protests and DemonstrationsCollege campus active in protests

1999 – gov’t shut down reformist newspaper2002 – death sentence for reformist academic2003 – student demonstrations over

privatization of university systemToday: concerns from workers like high

unemployment, low wages, labor laws

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Women in IranWomen have better

access to educationWomen often considered

wards of their male relatives

Today: college students and professionals

Islamic Republic policy is “equality-with- difference”

Women not well represented in the Majles

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Legitimacy of Modern StateRevolution of 1979

Legitimacy attached to principles of Shi’ism

Constitution of 1979Amended in 1989

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Women & the Political System Treatment of women in Iran is probably more contentious

for Westerners than the majority of Iranian women When shari’a law is interpreted narrowly women are

considered wards of their male relatives “Equality-with-difference” policy – instituted by the Islamic

Republic slants law favorably towards men on issues such as divorce and custody Women must wear scarves and long coats in public Women can not leave country without consent of male

relatives Occasionally women stoned for committing adultery

Women allowed to get education in Iran and entrance into some occupations Expectations for better jobs and increased political

rights among educated women Half of college students in Iran are women Women make up 27% of the labor force