Structure and Policy Making in the Islamic Republic

How can we effectively organize a complex Iranian government? 3 branches of government? –How do we categorize the Supreme Leader, Assembly of Religious Experts, Guardian Council, and the Expediency Council? Theocracy vs. Democracy? –Are the democratic elements within the Iranian government truly separate from the theocracy? Or Both?

Organization of Iranian Government DemocraticTheocratic

Organization of Iranian Government DemocraticTheocratic - Supreme Leader - Majles (Parliament) - Assembly of Religious Experts - Guardian Council - President - Expediency Council

Supreme Leader Appointed for Life Jurist Guardianship –Ultimate interpreter of shari’a –“Most just, pious, informed, brave, and enterprising of the senior clerics” Mediate between the three branches of government Sets political guidelines for the Islamic Republic Commander in Chief – can declare war and peace Grant Amnesty

Supreme Leader Appoints the Expediency Council Nominates 6 clerics to the 12 man Guardian Council Power over the judicial system –Nominate and remove the Chief Judge, Chief Prosecutor, and the Revolutionary Tribunals –Dismiss lower court judges Fills non-governmental positions –Preachers at the city mosques –Director of the national television network –Heads of religious endowments

Guardian Council Approves or vetoes all Majles legislation Approves candidates for all elected offices 6 members selected by the Supreme Leader 6 members nominated by the chief judge and selected by the Majles Guardian Council and Supreme Leader exercise the principle of jurists’ guardianship –Ensure that all democratic bodies adhere to Islamic beliefs

Assembly of Religious Experts Directly elected by the people, candidates must be approved by the Leader and Guardian Council Packed with clerics Elects and can dismiss the Supreme Leader (monitors performance) –This power was established after Khomeini’s death Seen as an upper chamber to the Majles (Lords and Commons prior to British parliamentary reform)

Majles Enact or change laws (qanun) with approval of Guardian Council Qanun vs. Shari’a? Approves 6 of the 12 man Guardian Council Approve and remove cabinet ministers (vote of no confidence) Approve budgets, loans, treaties, and development plans Can hold closed debates and give members immunity from arrest

Theocratic Influence on the Majles Members’ responsibility to uphold shari’a Veto power of the Guardian Council

President Draws up the annual budget –Chairs the plan and budget organization Supervises economic matters Can propose legislation to the Majles Conducts internal and external policies –International treaties, laws, and agreements Chairs the National Security Council Selects Vice Presidents and Cabinet Members Appoints local and provincial positions Names the directors of large public organizations

Theocratic Influence on the Presidency Must be Shia – sworn to uphold the principles of the Islamic Republic Minister of Intelligence must be a clergy member (Cabinet Position) Of the 6 Iranian Presidents, 3 have been Clerics or mullahs –Hasan Bani-Sadr, a non-cleric was removed in 1981 –Another non-cleric President was assassinated –Ahmadinejad is the current Iranian President

Expediency Council Created by Khomeini –Members appointed by Supreme Leader –Most (but not all) members are clerics Referee between Majles and Guardian Council –Resolves conflict, alleviates gridlock Initiates legislation on its own Meets in secret

Policy Making Highly complex –Huge constitution –Factionalism within the ruling clergy has led to more amendments which makes the original constitution more complicated

Passing Legislation Majles President / Executive Expediency Council Bill Majles Guardian Council Law Expediency Council Modified Law