The Political Process- How Rulers are Chosen - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

The Political Process- How Rulers are Chosen

The President, representatives to the

Majlis, and the Assembly of Religious Experts and chosen by citizens.The Assembly of Religious Experts then appoints the Supreme Leader.The Supreme Leader appoints the Guardian Council.Elections are screened and approved by the Guardian Council. (Long, 2008)

Kristin KnepperSlide2

Role of Political Parties

Only candidates that believe in the religious system of government can participate in elections.

The candidates are approved by the Guardian CouncilThe two opposing parties are conservatives and reformists. Since 2009, reformist parties have been very limited from running for office by the Guardian Council. (Asayesh et al, 2011)Parties earn seats in parliament (Majlis) when the citizens vote. Conservatives have 67 percent of parliament seats since the 2008 elections. (Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, 2012)

Although political parties’ power is limited, parties can bring change, especially if they have majority seats in the

Majli

.

Kristin KnepperSlide3

Role of Political Parties

Conservative Parties

Uphold principles of 1979 regimeWary of Western influence, against modernizationSupport clerics to run the political system(Long, Jeff. 2008)Reformist PartiesBelieve political system needs reformBelieve

Shi’ite

religion is an important basis of Iranian society

Advocate more involvement with Western countriesSupport idea that political leaders do not have to be clerics

(Long, Jeff. 2008)

Kristin KnepperSlide4

Role of Interest Groups

Green Movement- people against President Ahmadinejad, started after claims of election rigging in 2009

There are few distinct, large interest groups in Iran; however most support reform of the government, like the Green movementKristin KnepperSlide5

How Individual Citizens Participate in Politics

Voting age is 18 as of 2007

Citizens vote for the President, members of Parliament, and the Assembly of Experts.Elections are certainly not fair or free. Fraudulent voting occurs similar to Russia. People of opposition are also jailed and protests shut down. (Amir-Arjomand, Ardeshir. 2012).

Kristin KnepperSlide6

References

<http://www.longovt.com/Political_Institutions_of_Iran.pptx>.

Amir-Arjomand, Ardeshir. (March 1, 2012). Why Irans Election is a Farce. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/01/opinion/why-irans-election-is-a-farce.html>.Asayesh, Hossein; Halim, Adlina; Jawan, Jayum

;

Shojaei

, Seyedeh. (March 2011). Political Party in Islamic Republic of Iran: A Review. <http://us-iran.org/sites/default/files/webform/userarticle-submissions/political_party_in_ir_iran.pdf>.

Bureau

of Near Eastern Affairs. February 1 2012. Background Note: Iran. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5314.htm

>.

Long, Jeff. (2008). Political Institutions of Iran.

http

://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/03/iran_power/html/default.stm

http://iran-sabs.blogspot.com/2009/10/interest-groups-in-iran.htmlSlide7

a.) The Way Iranian Political Institutions Exercise Power

1.)

Political Parties - Constitution legalized political parties, but they were not allowed until Muhammad Khatami’s election in 1997. The faqih is decision maker. The faqih generally oversees the operation of the government to ensure that its policies and actions conform to Islamic principles.- The constitution also stipulated as head of state an elected president who would choose a prime minister to be head of government, subject to legislative approval.The Constitution specifically names Khomeini as the faqih for life and provides a mechanism for choosing his successors.

The role of the faqih has evolved into that of a policy guide and arbitrator among competitive views.

Below the faqih a distinct separation of powers exists between the executive and legislative branches.

The executive branch includes an elected president, who selects a prime minister and cabinet that must be approved by the elected legislative assembly, the Majlis.

The judiciary is independent of both the executive and the Majlis.

Liam KlavonSlide8

b.) Inter-Relationships Between Political Institutions

- Major Political Institutions In Iran: Supreme Leader, The Guardian Counsel, Parliament (Manji’s), The President, The Assembly of Religious Experts, The Military, and the Judicial Branch.

-One other major extension of the Supreme Leader political institution includes the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), these are similar to Hitler’s Gestapo and are becoming an important growing factor in Iran’s government.-To comprehend the way Political institutions in Iran interact with one another, the concept of the Guardianship of Islamic Jurists must be understood. It is a Shi’a Islam theory that gives an Islamic Jurist guardianship over those who need it. In other words this theory states that the rules and ideals of Shi’a Islam should serve as the rules for a government. In Iranian Government, Ayatollah Khomeini established the Jurist’s Guardianship more or less as the Constitution for the Islamic Republic of Iran. -The Supreme ruler is ultimately the head of power in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Liam KlavonSlide9

c.) Restraints On Political Institutions

The Iranian Government is supreme in the country and has very

little or no restraints placed upon it. It is very much a dictatorship, and despite the illusion of voting by the citizens the candidates are all selected by the government officials appointed by the Supreme Leader. Many laws in the U.S would be absolutely unheard of in Iran. Almost every single business or enterprise is run by a government appointed official. There are very little freedoms for the Iranian citizens and for those who break the law the consequences are quick and severe.Liam KlavonSlide10

c.) Continued

-Powers of Supreme Leader:

-Elimination of presidential candidates-Dismissal of the president-Command armed forces-Declares war & peace-Appointment and removal of major administrators and judges-Nominates six members of Guardian Council-Appoints many non-governmental directors, such as radio/TV and semi-public foundations -Ultimate legal authority does not rest in the constitution, but in shari’a law itself -Because interpreting Shari’a is difficult it has been applied in different ways at various times-Because of Ayatollah Khomeini, interpretation of Shari’a came to be the standard that would influence all succeeding Iranian leaders.

 -Mandated the death penalty for actions such as adultery, homosexuality, drug dealing and alcoholism

 -Set up unequal treatment between men & women, and Muslims & non-MuslimsSlide11

c. Continued

Qunan Law-Statutes passed by Majlis

-“The People’s Law”-Can never contradict Shari’a Shari 'a Law-Islamic law-Considered to be foundation of all Islamic civilization-Shari’a supersedes all other law in Iranian societySlide12

APA Sources

http://carnegieendowment.org/2012/02/24/battle-for-power-in-iran

Liam KlavonSlide13

Security Of Iran

Paige ArmstrongSlide14

Internal Security

Internal security is handled by the Law Enforcement Forces, IRGC, and the Basij

Islamic Republic’s leaders labor to ensure that no one armed or police group can dominate internal security or threaten the regimePaige ArmstrongSlide15

Military

Revolutionary Guard – established by Khomeini after the revolution, a parallel military force to the shah’s traditional armed forces that were the 5th

largest at the time. Protects the Republic, while the regular army protects the borders. Revolutionary Guard commanders are appointed by the Supreme Leader. Basij – volunteer militia of those to young to serve created during Iran-Iraq War. They are the Supreme Leader’s private militia. Can be compared to Hitler’s Nazi Youth. Iran’s armed forces currently have over 500,000 active troops which makes their army the 8th largest military in the worldPaige ArmstrongSlide16

External Security

External military and security operations, including efforts to export the Islamic Revolution

Paige ArmstrongSlide17

Ministry of Intelligence and National Security of the Islamic Republic of Iran (MISIRI)

An important part of Iranian government's security apparatus, and is well funded and equipped

Islamicized the judiciary code to interpret shari’a strictlyfounded on August 18, 1984,Paige ArmstrongSlide18

Establishing Internal Order

Iran’s security forces developed organically in the course of the revolution, and even more during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)Ayatollah Khomeini encouraged the growth of multiple competing military organizations during the revolution.

He also ordered the formation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in May 1979, for the purpose of securing the revolution from internal challengesPaige ArmstrongSlide19

Functions of Iran's Political Institutions

Supreme Leader Ali

KhameiniHas rule over all levels of Government Can Declare war or peace Nominates members of the Guardian CouncilCommands all armed forces Can remove President from power faqih – he is the leading Islamic jurist to interpret shari’a and religious documents

Links all three branches of government to together

“Determines the interests of the Islam”

Paige ArmstrongSlide20

President

In Iran the President does represent highest official representing democratic principlesEvery 4 years a new President is directly elected

Elected by the people Approved by Guardian Council Highest state official after Supreme LeaderMust be Shi’ite and uphold Islamic principlesIn Charge of devising the BudgetSupervises’ economic mattersProposes legislation to the MajlisExecuting policie

Signs treaties, laws, and agreements

Chairing the National Security Council

Allowed to appoint vice presidents and cabinet ministers

Appoints provincial governors, town mayors, and ambassadors

Paige ArmstrongSlide21

Cabinet

Responsible for the day-to-day work of governanceMost new laws and the budget are initiated and devised by cabinet members

Paige ArmstrongSlide22

Guardian Council

6 members are appointed by the Supreme Leader6 members are nominated by chief judge, and approved by Majlis

Decides who can compete in electionsReview all bills passed by Majlis to ensure they conform with shari’aThey represent theocratic principles within the governmentIn total there are 12 members and they are all male. Paige ArmstrongSlide23

MAJLIS(Parliament)

Created in1906 by the ConstitutionThe

Majlis power was weakened by amendments added in 1989 There are 290 seatsAll directly elected through single member districts by citizens over 15 years oldUnicameral legislatureHave the power to remove Cabinet members from office, but not the PresidentApprove of the budget, cabinet appointments, treaties, and loans They Interpret legislation, but can’t interfere Judicial authorityWith approval from the Guardian Council, the Majlis can enact or even change Laws

Paige ArmstrongSlide24

Elections

Citizens over 15 may voteMajlis and Presidential elections are winner- take- all.

Elections take place over a two round selection process, the first round is used to narrow down the candidates so that only 2 remain. The second round is used to select the winner of the 2. National elections are held to decide who will become members of The Assembly of Religious Experts, representative to the Majlis, and to see who will become the next President.Paige Armstrong Slide25

Cited Works Page

http://www.islamophobiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Iranian_Military_parade.jpg

http://aimore.org/flag/Iran.jpg Paige Armstrong