Safavid brought Islam to Iran (Persia) Qajars overthrew Safavid empire

› Qajars brought many secular reforms Followed by the Pallahvi in early 1900s

› Further secularization continued› “Too rapid”› Corruption, ties to the West (US)› Like Diaz in Mexico, “White Revolution”

Introduced by the Safavids in mid 15th century

Vs. Sunnis: why? Hidden Imam

Charismatic Leadership, exiled to France during 60’s and 70’s.

Jurist’s Guardianship (velyat-el-faiqh)› Gives clergy supreme control over the Shia

population› Most clergymen in Qom do not agree with

this

Revolution of Rising Expectations› Oil Prices drop worldwide

Complaints about Shah’s rapid secularized society

Shah abdicates amid huge protests› corruption› Ironically, the US’ stance on human rights

were one of the reasons why the Shah abdicated.

April 1979– country-wide referendum completes the abolition of Shah’s government

People ratify the People’s Islamic Republic of Iran

Cultural Revolution Constitution of 1979- source of

legitimacy› Parts of constitution ratified after

Khomeini's death

Authoritarian traditions Union of political and religious

authority dates back to 15th century Lack of colonialism- rare for the region

› Still were subjugated to imperialism Nationalism

› “Persians first, Muslims 2nd, Shi’ia 3rd

Religion Ethnicity Social POL: reform vs.

conservative REL: pragmatist vs. radical

Constitution gives him the right to :• Eliminate presidential candidates• Dismiss the president • Command the army• Declare war and peace• Appoint / remove all judges• Nominate half of Guardian Council• Appoint many non-gov directiors

12 clerics Bills passed by legislature are reviewed

› Must adhere to Sharia Decides who can compete in elections JURISTS GUARDIANSHIP

86 member house (all male) Interprets the constitution and laws Directly elected by people every 4

years Allowed to remove Ayatollah from

office (added in 1989, after Khomeini’s death)

Candidates are subject to GC approval

Referee between the Maijles and Guardian Council› Created by Khomeini› Made permanent in 1989› 32 members include

President Chief judge Speaker of the Maijles 6 jurists from Guardian Council

Budget Supervise economy Propose legislation Execute policies Sign treaties, laws, agreements Chairs the National Security Council

Must be devout Shiite. 4 year terms, 2 term limit

Unicameral Legislature (some argue that the Assembly of Religious Experts acts like an upper house on the legislature)

Created by 1906 Constitution › Enacts or changes laws› Interprets legislation› Appoints 6 of twelve members of GC› Investigates wrongdoing by executive and

judicial branches› Approves the budget

STRUCTURE THEOCRACY? DEMOCRATIC?

Supreme Leader Jurist’s guardianship-Ultimate interpreter of Sharia law

Tee hee. No.

Guardian Council(12 members)

- High interpreters of Sharia Law. - 6 members selected by Supreme Leader

- Six members selected by Majles

Assembly of Religious Experts

Interprets Sharia Directly elected by the people; non-clerics are members

Expediency Council Appointed by Supreme leader; most members are clerics

Not all members are clerics

Majles Promises to uphold Sharia Directly elected by people

Judiciary Sharia law; Supreme Leader has final say on all cases

Court structure similar to democratic nations; code law has modern “penalties”