While parliament majles and the president are directly elected, power in iran is largely consolidated within a few governing bodies. Tawheed oneness means that one god alone is the creator. The iranian revolution past, present and future brought the safavids into direct conflict with the ottoman empire and led to two centuries of intermittent warfare between those two powerful states. Candidate in private and islamic law at the university of tehran, tehran, iran. The politics of nationalism in modern iran this sophisticated and challenging book by the distinguished historian ali m. But in a political system with myriad and overlapping centers of power, capturing the presidency and the parliament may not suffice. Iran islamic republic ofs constitution of 1979 with.
The student movement in the islamic republic of iran. The leader, however, is equal to the rest of the people before the law. Jan 14, 2020 supreme leader ayatollah ali khamenei. The supreme leader is the ultimate spiritual and political authority who supervises other state institutions, making khamenei the most powerful politician in iran in power since 1989. Chehabi skip to main content accessibility help we use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Ansari explores the idea of nationalism in the creation of modern iran. Notwithstanding these realities, irans political system is not immutable. After achieving such a general picture of the middle east situation, the characteristics of the political system in iran, that is the islamic republic can be better understood.
In iran s complex and intertwined political system, the supreme leader has a very special status and is the highest authority in the country. The iranian revolution, past, present and future iran chamber. Comparisons within countries over time that do not also compare across countries do not earn a point. So while most opposition groups participated in the 1979 revolution, the clergy established hegemony over irans new political system after the shahs ouster. The constitution of the islamic republic of iran is a declaration of the social, cultural, political, and economic foundations of the iranian society based on islamic principles and norms that re. Jun 06, 2017 political system of iran june 6, 2017 in intl affairs, june 2017 leave a comment the islamic republic of iran is a constitutional, theocratic republic in which shia muslim clergy and political leaders vetted by the clergy dominate the key power structures. The historical political landscape in iran the islamic republic stands unique as a political system in this world, with a complex history of democratic and islamist features. The safavid dynasty ruled iran until 1722, when an afghan army invaded the country and captured isfahan.
The political system of saudi arabia mentioned in the prelude. The political system which was instituted in iran after the 1979 revolution has been a matter of. The first period might be referred to as the first republic or the period of revolutionary. Iran became an islamic republic in 1979, when the monarchy was overthrown and clerics assumed political control. Whos who in irans political system top 10 players in iran. Deep policy differences among the various factions that constitute the reform move. Its neighbors are turkmenistan, azerbaijan and armenia in the north, afghanistan. At this time, the constitution of the islamic republic of iran, as an articulation of the political, social, cultural, and economic relations and institutions of the society, was to open the way for af. Heres a whos who of the players who may determine irans future in the unfolding drama. Irans political system remains a paradox in the middle east. Mar 21, 2016 the historical political landscape in iran the islamic republic stands unique as a political system in this world, with a complex history of democratic and islamist features. Iran, a mountainous, arid, and ethnically diverse country of southwestern asia. The political regime of the islamic republic of iran in comparative perspective volume 36 issue 1 h. Oct 05, 2010 clerics form the broadest social network in iran, exerting their influence from the most remote village to the biggest cities.
This is clearly stated in article 107 of the constitution. Oct 05, 2010 irans 1979 constitution attempted to bring together these two notions of republican governance and religious authority. Political system of the islamic republic of iran mohammad mahmood on. Suzanne maloney read and synthesized the political economy literature on iran with stunning diligence. Khomeini did not simply advocate for a modern theocracy. Political and power structures in iran irans political system is an islamic democracy, a new form of democracy that combines islam and democracy. Pdf suspended equilibrium in irans political system. They emerged from a crowded field for several reasons. Government of the islamic republic of iran wikipedia. It seeks to demystify the clerical regime, provide an insight into the theocracys goals and ambitions and its factions, debates, rivalries and policies. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Constitution of the islamic republic of iran, setting forth as it does the political, social, cultural, and economic institutions and their relations that are to exist in society, must now provide for the consolidation of the foundations of islamic government, and propose the plan of a new system of government to be erected on. Today, the system is dominated by hardline conservative groups backed by the supreme leader ayatollah ali khamenei, the most powerful politician in iran. Pdf elections and political system in iran ips situational brief.
Additionally, a comparison between the womens political participation in iran with other countries, as well as the analysis of the most crucial facilitating and hindering factors affecting the iranian womens political activists are the two other issues addressed in this. The constitution notes that the islamic revolution reflects an attempt, also made by other islamic and democratic movements, to open the way for the. Iran is a republic in which the president, parliament majles and judicial system share powers reserved to the national government, according to its constitution. Despite the theocratic basis of its state, iran is one of the more dem ocratic countries in the middle east. The constitution of the islamic republic of iran, setting forth as it does the political, social, cultural, and economic institutions and their relations that are to exist in. Iran is a country that has experienced an islamic revolution, yet has institutionalized many democratic principles. First off, iran s government is probably the most misunderstood in the world.
The ambiguities of irans political system stem to a not inconsiderable extent from the constitution of 1979. I will, therefore, begin with a brief exposition of them. Iran s complex political system is, in many ways, an experiment, combining elements of a modern islamic theocracy with democracy. To this end, it has enacted protectionist measures and trade policies to iraqs disadvantage, tried. You have supplied an opportunity to expound on one of my favorite topics.
Irans political economy since the revolution by suzanne. Ultimate power remains in the hands of its clerical elite. Irans political, demographic, and economic vulnerabilities rand. The political system of islam has been based on three principles, viz. The obvious difference lies in the fact that iran is an islamic theocracy, and that one man, the supreme leader, exerts ideological and political control over a system dominated by clerics who.
The current iranian constitution was adopted on december 3, 1979, after a referendum in which 99. To earn the point, the response must accurately compare political competition in mexico to political competition in iran. In large complex societies, many decisions must be made about the duties and responsibilities of citizens and also about the rights and privileges. The government of the islamic republic of iran persian. Iran became an islamic republic in 1979, when the monarchy was overthrown and clerics assumed political control under supreme leader ayatollah khomeini.
It does so by considering the broader developments in national. Irans political economy since the revolution by suzanne maloney. Politics and governance congressional research service summary iraqs sectarian and ethnic divisionsmuted toward the end of the 20032011 u. There is a shared commitment amongst the majority of iranians to work patiently and rather less erratically towards a political system that appreciates the diversity and complexity of iranian society which encompasses a wide spectrum of opinions and values. The president and the majlis parliament are elected. The supreme leader, irans highestranking political, military, and religious authority, and the. Memorandum of the foreign trade regime of iran 145page official pdf document describing all ministries and institutes affiliated to the. Irans current political system is based on the 1979 constitution that followed the islamic revolution and amendments passed by popular referendum in 1989. The highest office in the iranian system is reserved for clerics. This paper provides an introduction to the islamic republic of iran, its politics, economics, foreign and defence policies, and its nuclear programme.
Opponents of the regime who are willing to use force, such as the mujahedinekhalq, are largely discredited and in exile. Even though the iranian political system operates under the framework of a theocracy, there is a relatively high level of political freedom and democracy in iran when compared to many other nations in the middle east such as saudi arabia, israel, egypt, and syria. Successive electoral victories by khatami and his political allies have raised expectations about the prospects for irans reform movement. However what most people fail to comprehend is the role of the shia clergy in iranian politics. An overview of iranian legal system and research globalex. Oct 01, 2016 since the 197879 iranian revolution, there has been much analysis by political scientists and political leaders as to what makes up the iranian political system. The historical and religious basis of irans political system. The conservatives have managed to sideline both the rightwing populists backed by former president ahmadinejad and reformists calling for a more open political system. It is difficult to appreciate the different aspects of the islamic policy with out fully understanding these three principles. Theocratic, judicial, legislative, executive, and security share common themes that cross bureaucratic, societal and personal boundaries. According to the constitution, the islamic republic of iran is a republic with separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Notwithstanding these realities, irans political system is.
Religion and politics in iran council on foreign relations. Political system of iran june 6, 2017 in intl affairs, june 2017 leave a comment the islamic republic of iran is a constitutional, theocratic republic in which shia muslim clergy and political leaders vetted by the clergy dominate the key power structures. Modern iranian culture owes itself in part to a renaissance in the 8th century. Iran is a republic in which the president, parliament majles and judicial system share powers. First off, irans government is probably the most misunderstood in the world. Since the 197879 iranian revolution, there has been much analysis by political scientists and political leaders as to what makes up the iranian political system. Successive electoral victories by khatami and his political allies have raised expectations about the prospects for iran s reform movement.
Heres a whos who of the players who may determine iran s future in the unfolding drama. The revolution of 1979 brought about a fundamental change in iranian attitudes toward politics. The heart of the persian empire of antiquity, iran has long played an important role in the region as an imperial power and as a factor in superpower rivalries. It mentions the word democracy only once in the preamble. Clerics form the broadest social network in iran, exerting their influence from the most remote village to the biggest cities. Additionally, a comparison between the womens political participation in iran with other countries, as well as the analysis of the most crucial facilitating and hindering factors affecting the iranian womens political activists are the two other issues addressed in this paper. The objectives that the islamic system of governance aims to realize need expounding upon, especially given the fact that these objectives cannot be separated from the objectives that the prophets sought to achieve. The islamic republic constitution of december 1979 and its 1989 change identifies the islamic republic of irans political, economic, and social order, proclaiming that the countrys official religion is shia islam.
Irans 1979 constitution attempted to bring together these two notions of republican governance and religious authority. Each society must have a political system in order to maintain recognized procedures for allocating valued resources. The iranian political system since the revolution it is useful to look at the political history of the islamic revolution as divided into three distinct periods. Irans political system functions in a theocratic structure of syncretic politics that is ruled by an islamist ideology. In establishing, on the basis of ideological interpretation, political institutions and. Jun 20, 2009 the conflict in iran thus far has been not so much a wholesale revolt of the masses against the system as a complex struggle for power within iran s ruling establishment and a battle over the countrys direction. Under the monarchy the political culture had been elitist in the sense that all. The iranian political system attempts to maintain a government that embodies the centrality of a monarchy, the jurisprudence of a democracy, and the personal freedoms of a republic. Iran as a middle eastern country the islamic republic of iran is situated in the northern hemisphere in southwest asia and has a land area of 1,648,195 km. Irans political, demographic, and economic vulnerabilities. Jadaliyya susanne maloneys irans political economy since the revolution is an exceptionally detailed account covering irans economic struggles, achievements, and challenges. It does so by considering the broader developments in national ideologies that took place following the emergence of the european.
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