Iranian+Political+System

Iranian Political System

**I. CONSTITUTION** 1.**Does Iran have a Constitution?** Yes as of 1979 and amended in 1989 (expanded power of Pres and eliminated PM) After AK1’ death in 1989, they had to set the process for choosing the new Faqih / Supreme Leader 2.**How was it finalized / approved?** Referendum Vote of People – 98% approval 3.**What kind of government does it create?** A combo of Islamic Theocracy with elements of democracy A Theocracy = An Islamic Republic with nominal Sep of Powers among 3 branches

**II. GOVERNMENT BASICS** **1.Iran’s government is a REPUBLIC. What is that?** System of gov’t in which citizens have the power and exercise that power by electing leaders to run the government **2.How is the government organized? Federal, Unitary or confederation?** It is a UNITARY state with a dual executive whose powers are set out in the Constitution It is a UNITARY STATE but recent reforms have granted some power at the local level to make laws but ultimately the power lies in the hands of the religious leaders at the national level **3.What is the basis of their legal system?** The Sharia – Islamic Law 4 **.Do they have the Rule of Law in the Iranian System?** Yes and No – It is Islamic Law but not applied equally to all **5.Where does Iran get its legitimacy? ** Strong sense of nationalism General acceptance of Islamic law Parliamentary and presidential elections A gov’t sponsored public welfare program

**1.Where does executive power reside?** In a dual executive = Faqih / SL and President **2.Who is the Chief / Head of State?** The Faqih – Supreme Leader – Leader of the Revolution **3.How many Heads of State have there been since the Revolution in 1979?** 2 – Ayatollah Khomeini (AK1) to 1989 and then Ayatollah Khamenei (AK2) to the present **4.What is this person?** AYATOLLAH = An expert in Religious Law – achieved the highest level of spiritual awareness <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">**5.How does one get this position?** Elected by a Majority Vote of the clerics in the Assembly of Experts Candidates have to be Ayatollahs or experts in Islam and have to be a participant in the Revolution **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">6.What powers does the head of state have? ** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">Delineates and supervises the general policy of Iran Controls domestic and foreign policy in Iran Appoints 6 clerics to the Guardian Council Chooses Commander of Military and the Revolutionary GuardChooses the Head of the Judiciary / Chief Justice (and effectively all judges) / the Minister of JusticeSets the general state policy and effectively has VETO Power over policies and programsDeclares war and peace Commander of the Armed Forces and controls the Intelligence and Security Services Initiate and supervise amendments to the ConstitutionSupervise influential parastatal foundations and organizations like the Basej-e Mostazafin (Mobilization of the Oppressed) and Charitable Foundations ($12 billion in assets and a major infrastructure) – ALMSAppoint Mullahs to be leaders of major Mosques along with Friday prayer leaders Appoints heads of Radio and TVSupervises about 2000 assistants who are spread around the country and in the government (his eyes and ears)
 * <span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">III. CHIEF / HEAD OF STATE **

<span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">**IV. ASSEMBLY OF (RELIGIOUS) EXPERTS** **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1.What is the group? ** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">An 86 member body of senior clergymen that meets 2x per year <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">2**.How are they chosen?**Elected by a popular vote to 8 year terms (Next election in 2014) Have to be a cleric approved by the GC Dominated by the conservative clerics but has Rafsanjani as a Deputy Chair <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 90%;">**3.What is their Role / Powers in the Iranian System?** Elect / Appoint the Faqih Evaluate the work of the Faqih in annual meetings Can dismiss the Faqih if he is deemed no longer qualified

<span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**IV. EXECUTIVE BRANCH**
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**Who is the Head of Government?** President
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**Name the last 3 presidents?** Akbar Rafsanjani, Mohammad Khatami, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**How does one get this position? Term of Office?** Majority of vote by Assembly of Expert. 4 year terms, no more than 2 consecutive.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What are the Requirements for this position? Qualifications?** Must be Shiite Muslim and since 2005, they cannot be a woman.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What is the role / powers of this position?** Commander of armed forces/military, head of judicial system. He selects the cabinet and ministry as well.
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What is the relationship of the President to the Faqih?** The president is subordinate to the Faqih.
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**Who else makes up the Executive Branch and what is their role(s)?** **Bureaucracy?** A cabinet of 8 Vice-presidents and 22 minsters that focus on separate departments. The ministries have the ability to propose legislation and carry out policy.


 * <span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">V. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What are the most powerful policy making institutions in the Iranian political system?** Majlis and Guardians Council
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**How is the legislature organized?** Guardians Councils oversees Majlis (Iranian Parliament)
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**Which house does the majority of the work? (Notice I did not say which one is more important)** Majlis
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What is the Term of Office for the Majlis?** 4 year terms
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**How does one get on the Majlis? Qualifications?** Someone is elected by universal suffrage. 5 seats are saved for religious minorities such as Christianity.
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What is the demographic breakdown of the Majlis?** Majority Shiite Muslim, 5 seats for officially recognized religious representatives, small number of women
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What is their role, power, function?** Propose and pass legislation
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What is the 2nd House called?** Guardians Councils
 * 9) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**How is the GC organized? Term of Office?** 12 members, 8 year terms
 * 10) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What is their role, power, function?** Determines whether legislation proposed and passed by Majlis follows the Islamic Constitution and Islamic law
 * 11) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What is the 3rd House of the legislature called?** Expediency Council
 * 12) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What is the role, power, function of the EC?** Resolve disputes between Majlis and Guardians Council


 * <span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">VI. JUDICIAL BRANCH **


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What is the highest judicial authority in Iran?** Supreme Court
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**Who is the head of the Judicial Branch? How is this person chosen? Term of Office?** Currently Sadeq Larijani is the head of the judiciary. They are appointed by the leader and serve a five year term.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**How does one become a member of the highest court? Qualifications?** One becomes a member of the Supreme Court by being appointed by the head of the judiciary.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What is the role of the Supreme Court**? The Supreme Court oversees enforcement of laws by the lower courts, sets judicial precedent, and acts as a court of appeal.
 * 5) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">What is the hierarchy of the Iranian Court system? ** T<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">he court system is an independent body. The Supreme Court lies at the top of the hierarchy with the head of the judiciary in the highest position. That leader along with a four member High Council holds authority in the judiciary. Many types of courts fall under their control such as the revolutionary courts, public courts,courts of peace, and others.
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What does the Islamic Revolutionary Court do?** The Islamic Revolutionary Court tries cases involving political offenses and national security.
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What does the Special Clerical Court do?** The Special Clerical Court deals with crimes committed by members of the clergy. This court is outside of the main court system.
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What is the basis of their legal system?** Islamic Law
 * 9) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**What is the status of Rule of Law in Iran?** Rule of law is held in contempt by many Iranians. Fundamental rights are not protected in the country and courts are filled with corruption along with interference of politics.

<span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**VII. ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS**


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**How is the government organized?** Federal, Unitary or confederation? The governemnt is a unitary system.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**How many provinces are there in Iran?** There are 30 provinces in Iran.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**How are the 30 Provinces governed?** The provinces have directly elected city and village councils and a governor.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**How does one become a governor of a province?** One becmes a governor of a province by getting approved by the Governor General in consultation with the Ministry of the Interior.
 * 5) **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">How are the local counties, districts and villages governed? **<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">The people in each county, district, or village elect local councils for 4 year terms. According to the Constitution, the councils along with the parliament come together to form the decision makers of the state. Individually, the councils elect mayors, study health and economics of the county, etc.

<span style="color: #00ff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 13px;">**VIII. THE VELAYAT-E FAQIH**

<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 13px;">1. **What is this?** The velayat-e faqih is the doctrine of guardianship or political rule of the jurist or faqih. This concept was popularized by Ayatollah Khomeini. <span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; font-size: 13px;">2. **What is the role / purpose of the Guardian of the Jurist in the Iranian System?** The doctrine's purpose is to gurantee that groups accept the principle of polticial rule in Iran. Also, it gives senior clerics the power to rule over the whole community.