THE IRANIAN GOVERNMENT
WHY IS IRAN, IRAN?
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Iran’s identity is the result of thousands of years of history
• Deep attachment to Islam
• Have always been an autocratic state
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Iran is structured as a theocracy
• Ruled strictly by religion
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Clerics (religious leaders) control the major industries in Iran
DEVELOPING ECONOMY
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Significant player in the global market
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2nd largest oil producer in the Middle East
• 4th largest in the world
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The oil is controlled by the clerics
LEGITIMACY
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The Supreme Leader is accepted as the heir of Islam
• Shiite belief
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Power is derived from the Constitution of 1979
• Mixture of theocracy and democracy
• Sharia Law
• Jurist’s Guardianship
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Up until 2005 giving more power to the people was highly debated
GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE
Theocratic
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Supreme Leader
• Heir to Islam (Imam)
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Guardian Council
• Can veto any legislation
• Can disqualify candidates for
public office
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Expediency Council
Democratic
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President
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Assembly of Religious Experts
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National Assembly
• Legislative Body
LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT
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National
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Provinces
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Districts
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Sub-Districts
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Local Areas
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Each level has elected officials
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Appointed governors advise each level of officials
THE SUPREME LEADER
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The head of the theocratic component of the Iranian government
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Life long appointment
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Primary interpreter of Sharia law
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Controls presidential candidates
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Can dismiss the President (and other administrators)
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Declare war (Commander in Chief)
THE GUARDIAN COUNCIL
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Responsible for ensuring that the democratic component of the government adheres to
Islamic beliefs
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Consists of 12 members
• 6 are appointed by the Chief Judge and approved by the Majles
• 6 are appointed by the Supreme Leader
THE ASSEMBLY OF RELIGIOUS EXPERTS
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Directly elected by the people every 4 years
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Appoints the Supreme Leader
• Can dismiss the Supreme Leader if necessary
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Similar role to the Guardian council
• Charged with interpreting Islam
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Sometimes considered to be the Upper Legislative House
• Not Official
THE EXPEDIENCY COUNCIL
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Appointed by the Supreme Leader
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Charged with mediating conflicts between the Guardian Council and the Majles
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Can produce new legislation to be voted on
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Considered the most powerful people in the Iranian government
THE PRESIDENT
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Chief Executive and highest state official after the Supreme Leader
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Directly elected every 4 years, two term limit
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Charged with:
• Budget
• Economic Matters
• Proposing Legislation
• Signing treaties and laws
• Appointing lower level administrators
DUAL EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Supreme Leader
The President
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Head of State
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Head of Government
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Is not involved in day-to-day politics
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Manages the cabinet
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Has final say in all matters
• Cabinet does most of executive
work
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Answers to the people and the
Supreme Leader
THE MAJLES
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Responsible For:
• Enacting and changing laws
• Interpreting legislation
• Confirming 6/12 of the appointed members of the Guardian Council
• Investigating complaints against the government
• Approving actions of the President
THE JUDICIARY
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Headed by a Chief Justice
• Responsible for the Supreme Court
• Appointed by the Supreme Leader for a 5 year term
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Appoints all lower judges
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No equivalent of “Judicial Review” exists in Iran
THE MILITARY
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Revolutionary Guards
• Created by the Supreme Leader after the 1979 revolution
• Paramilitary to the Regular Army, Navy, Air Force
• Elite military force, commanders appointed by Supreme Leader
• Basij are a component of the Revolutionary Guards
• Loosely-organized military (Militia)