Islamic Republic of Islamic Republic of IranIran

Chapter 12Chapter 12

Basic FactsBasic Facts

►Capital:Capital: Tehran Tehran►Size:Size: slightly larger than Alaska slightly larger than Alaska►Population:Population: 68,017,860 68,017,860►Religious affiliation: Shi’a Muslim 89%; Religious affiliation: Shi’a Muslim 89%;

Sunni Muslim 9%, other 2%Sunni Muslim 9%, other 2%►Political system:Political system: mix of democracy and mix of democracy and

theocracy (rule of the clergy)theocracy (rule of the clergy) headed headed by a cleric with the title of the by a cleric with the title of the LeaderLeader

► Regime history:Regime history: Islamic Republic since 1979 Islamic Republic since 1979 revolutionrevolution

► Administrative structure:Administrative structure: centralized centralized administration with 30 provinces. Provincial administration with 30 provinces. Provincial governors appointed by interior ministergovernors appointed by interior minister

► Executive:Executive: President and cabinet. President President and cabinet. President elected by population every four years. elected by population every four years. Current president: Current president: Mahmoud AhmadinejadMahmoud Ahmadinejad (since(since 2005)2005)

► Legislature:Legislature: Unicameral. Unicameral. Majles Majles – now 290 – now 290 seats – elected every four years. Bills passed seats – elected every four years. Bills passed do not become law until approved by Council do not become law until approved by Council of Guardians (chief cleric known as of Guardians (chief cleric known as LeaderLeader))

► Ruling clergy restricts parties & organizationsRuling clergy restricts parties & organizations

Critical JuncturesCritical Junctures

►The Safavid – 1501-1722The Safavid – 1501-1722►Qajar 1794-1925Qajar 1794-1925►Pahlavi dynasty 1925-1979Pahlavi dynasty 1925-1979►Revolution of 1979- established Revolution of 1979- established

current Islamic Republiccurrent Islamic Republic

The Safavid DynastyThe Safavid Dynasty

►Forcibly converted subjects to Shi’ism – Forcibly converted subjects to Shi’ism – distinct from neighboring Sunni powers distinct from neighboring Sunni powers (Ottomans, Uzbeks, Afghans)(Ottomans, Uzbeks, Afghans)

►Safavid rulers – tolerated religious Safavid rulers – tolerated religious minorities (Jews, Zoroastrians, minorities (Jews, Zoroastrians, Christians) if they paid special taxes and Christians) if they paid special taxes and accepted rulers’ authorityaccepted rulers’ authority According to Islam, these tolerated as According to Islam, these tolerated as

People ofPeople of the Bookthe Book (mentioned in Qur’an and (mentioned in Qur’an and had own sacred texts – Bible, Torah, Avesta)had own sacred texts – Bible, Torah, Avesta)

► In theory, Safavids claimed absolute In theory, Safavids claimed absolute powerpower

► In reality, power limited – lacked In reality, power limited – lacked central state and forced to deal with central state and forced to deal with semi-independent local leaderssemi-independent local leaders

Islam – Shi’i & SunniIslam – Shi’i & Sunni► Islam – second largest religion in world – 1 Islam – second largest religion in world – 1

billion adherentsbillion adherents►Means “submission to God”Means “submission to God”►One central tenet – “There is only one God, One central tenet – “There is only one God,

and Muhammad is His Prophet”, and…and Muhammad is His Prophet”, and…► Four duties: (all five make up Five Pillars of Four duties: (all five make up Five Pillars of

Wisdom)Wisdom) Give to charityGive to charity Pray every day facing Mecca (Abraham built first Pray every day facing Mecca (Abraham built first

place of worship)place of worship) Pilgrimage to Mecca – at least oncePilgrimage to Mecca – at least once Fast during Ramadan - daytimeFast during Ramadan - daytime

►Divided in two branches - differ over who Divided in two branches - differ over who should have succeeded Muhammad should have succeeded Muhammad (d. 632)(d. 632)

► SunniSunni – “followers of tradition” – “followers of tradition” Majority worldwideMajority worldwide Ruled by caliphs (Prophet’s Deputy)Ruled by caliphs (Prophet’s Deputy)

► Shi’iShi’i – “partisans of Ali” – “partisans of Ali” Less than 10% of Muslims worldwide – Iran, Less than 10% of Muslims worldwide – Iran,

southern Iraq, Bahrain, E. Turkey, S. Lebanonsouthern Iraq, Bahrain, E. Turkey, S. Lebanon Argued Muhammad’s legacy went through son-Argued Muhammad’s legacy went through son-

in-law in-law Imam AliImam Ali – who passed it on to male heirs – who passed it on to male heirs Known as the Twelvers – follow Twelve Imams – Known as the Twelvers – follow Twelve Imams –

the Twelfth is known as the the Twelfth is known as the Hidden ImamHidden Imam (Messiah) – herald end of world(Messiah) – herald end of world

Power – senior clerical scholars - Power – senior clerical scholars - AyatollahsAyatollahs

The Qajars The Qajars

► Safavid dynasty collapsed 1722- Afghan Safavid dynasty collapsed 1722- Afghan tribesmen invadedtribesmen invaded

►Half-century of civil war – until Qajars Half-century of civil war – until Qajars (Turkic tribe) won(Turkic tribe) won

► Capital established – TehranCapital established – Tehran► Shi’ism – state religionShi’ism – state religion►New Shahs (kings) – did not pretend to be New Shahs (kings) – did not pretend to be

descendants of imamsdescendants of imams► European imperialism affected in 19European imperialism affected in 19thth c c

Pahlavi Dynasty Pahlavi Dynasty

► Colonel Reza Khan – 1921 – military coup – Colonel Reza Khan – 1921 – military coup – became Shahbecame Shah

► First nontribal dynasty to rule IranFirst nontribal dynasty to rule Iran►During WWII – British & Soviets invaded Iran During WWII – British & Soviets invaded Iran

to stop Nazi Germanyto stop Nazi Germany► Reza Shah abdicated – son Muhammad Reza Reza Shah abdicated – son Muhammad Reza

ShahShah► Confronted two political movementsConfronted two political movements

Communist Tudeh (masses) party – supported by Communist Tudeh (masses) party – supported by working class trade unionsworking class trade unions

National Front – led by Muhammad MossadeqNational Front – led by Muhammad Mossadeq

►Mosaddeq sought to sever Shah’s links Mosaddeq sought to sever Shah’s links with armed forceswith armed forces

►Argued monarch should reign – not ruleArgued monarch should reign – not rule►Elected prime minister Elected prime minister ►Nationalized oil industryNationalized oil industry►1953 – royalist officers staged coup 1953 – royalist officers staged coup

Overthrew MossadeqOverthrew Mossadeq Installed Shah absolute powerInstalled Shah absolute power Coup financed by American CIACoup financed by American CIA Shah then ruled autocratically until 1979Shah then ruled autocratically until 1979

►Under the ShahUnder the Shah Oil boom in 1970s – Iran became major Oil boom in 1970s – Iran became major

player in international politics – became player in international politics – became second most important member of OPEC second most important member of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)(Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries)

Women enjoyed more freedoms – right to Women enjoyed more freedoms – right to votevote

Literacy Corps – eradicated literacy in Literacy Corps – eradicated literacy in countrysidecountryside

Expansion of health & human servicesExpansion of health & human services BUT – regime oppressive – economic BUT – regime oppressive – economic

difficulties & international pressures about difficulties & international pressures about human rights violations …helped lead to…human rights violations …helped lead to…

Islamic Revolution – Islamic Revolution – 1979-20011979-2001

►Exiles denounced Shah and family - Exiles denounced Shah and family - charged with military dictatorship, charged with military dictatorship, collaboration with CIA, fascist one-party collaboration with CIA, fascist one-party statestate

►Leading anti-shah cleric – Ayatollah Leading anti-shah cleric – Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini – Ruhollah Khomeini – new version of Shi’ismnew version of Shi’ism Labeled Islamic fundamentalismLabeled Islamic fundamentalism

►Religious dogmatismReligious dogmatism►Political traditionalismPolitical traditionalism►Social conservatismSocial conservatism►Literal interpretation of scriptureLiteral interpretation of scripture

►Ayatollah Khomeini – declared Imam Ayatollah Khomeini – declared Imam and Leader of new Islamic Republic and Leader of new Islamic Republic (after Shah left Iran) – considered to have special (after Shah left Iran) – considered to have special gift from God – ruled until death in 1989gift from God – ruled until death in 1989

►97% of eligible voters – supported new 97% of eligible voters – supported new Islamic RepublicIslamic Republic But voters intimidated by vigilantes But voters intimidated by vigilantes

known as known as Hezbollahis Hezbollahis (Partisans of God)(Partisans of God)

►Theocratic constitution created – Theocratic constitution created – Khomeini given great authorityKhomeini given great authority

► Khomeini died 1989 – Khomeini died 1989 – after Iran-Iraq war ended after Iran-Iraq war ended in 1988 (Iraq had invaded Iran in 1980)in 1988 (Iraq had invaded Iran in 1980) War made people and military war-wearyWar made people and military war-weary

► Successor – Ali Khamenei – lacked charisma Successor – Ali Khamenei – lacked charisma of former leaderof former leader Initial Drop in oil prices ($10 a barrel by 1998!) – Initial Drop in oil prices ($10 a barrel by 1998!) –

threatened economy - but now reboundedthreatened economy - but now rebounded Continuing dichotomy of democracy & theocracy Continuing dichotomy of democracy & theocracy

(under Islam)(under Islam)►Some clerics openly admit religion does not have Some clerics openly admit religion does not have

answers to inflation, unemployment & volatility of world answers to inflation, unemployment & volatility of world oiloil

New “cold war” with U.S. New “cold war” with U.S.

Iran’s AssetsIran’s Assets

►Major power in Middle EastMajor power in Middle East►One of region’s largest armies – One of region’s largest armies –

largest navy in Persian Gulflargest navy in Persian Gulf►Large land massLarge land mass►Considerable human resourcesConsiderable human resources►Vast oil production – respectable gross Vast oil production – respectable gross

domestic product (GDP)domestic product (GDP)

Iran’s ChallengesIran’s Challenges

► Historically, a Historically, a dual societydual society Modern sector – headed by elites, close ties to oil Modern sector – headed by elites, close ties to oil

statestate Traditional – clergy, middle class, rural massesTraditional – clergy, middle class, rural masses

► Now Two major challengesNow Two major challenges Internal challenge is theocracy vs. democracyInternal challenge is theocracy vs. democracy

►Failed to establish a full-fledged democracyFailed to establish a full-fledged democracy►Clergy control most powerful political positionsClergy control most powerful political positions►However, president and some high officials elected However, president and some high officials elected

directly by public – current president controversialdirectly by public – current president controversial►Educated women now major factor in Iranian society – Educated women now major factor in Iranian society –

54% of college students, 45% of doctors.54% of college students, 45% of doctors.

►Major external challenges– especially from U.S.Major external challenges– especially from U.S. President Bush named Iran as part of “Axis of Evil” – President Bush named Iran as part of “Axis of Evil” –

openly called for regime changeopenly called for regime change U.S. increased pressure on Iran:U.S. increased pressure on Iran:

►Denied diplomatic relations with U.S.Denied diplomatic relations with U.S.►Barred Iran from WTOBarred Iran from WTO►Accuses Iran of sabotaging Arab-Israeli peace processAccuses Iran of sabotaging Arab-Israeli peace process►Accuses of Iran helping terrorist organizations – Hamas in Accuses of Iran helping terrorist organizations – Hamas in

Palestine & Hezbollah in LebanonPalestine & Hezbollah in Lebanon►Accuses of violating democratic & human rightsAccuses of violating democratic & human rights►Highlighting dangers of weapons of mass destructionHighlighting dangers of weapons of mass destruction►Pressure increased because of U.S. occupation of Iraq and Pressure increased because of U.S. occupation of Iraq and

AfghanistanAfghanistan► Iran’s militancy has alarmed neighboring secular Islamic Iran’s militancy has alarmed neighboring secular Islamic

states – Turkey, Azerbaijan, Tadzhikistan – but this has states – Turkey, Azerbaijan, Tadzhikistan – but this has improvedimproved