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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
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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 - 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.
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
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”
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
Political CleavagesReligion
Ethnicity
Social Class
Reformers vs. Conservatives
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Legitimacy of Modern StateRevolution of 1979
Legitimacy attached to principles of Shi’ism
Constitution of 1979Amended in 1989
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