MUN 4 You have 20 minutes to work on your timeline for Iran! Turn in China review sheets if you didn’t go to MUNSA. Any news out of Mexico?

Political Institutions in Iran

Main Idea All about a mix between theocracy and democracy So in what ways is Iran's government legitimate today??? Does not fit a 3 branch system Most important aspect—Jurist’s Guardianship Gives the clergy and religious leaders authority over the community

Dual Executive Iran has a dual executive. What other country(s) also have a dual executive?

Supreme Leader Imam for the entire Iranian community Rule for life Faqih—Leading Islamic scholar to interpret sharia law Links the 3 branches of government and determines “the interest of Islam.” Sources of legitimacy Constitutional Revolutionary Religious Military (more authority than legitimacy)

Powers of the Supreme Leader Head of state The Supreme Leader can: Eliminate Presidential Candidates Dismiss the President Command the armed forces Declare war and peace Appoint judges Nominate 6 members of Guardian Council (half) Appoint leaders of radio-tv stations Women can run for president, but have never been allowed to

Guardian Council 12 male clerics 6 appointed by Supreme Leader, 6 nominated by chief justice (approved by majiles nominated by Supreme Leader!) Review all bills passed by majiles (Congress) to make sure they conform to Islam Decide who can compete in elections (Presidential and majiles) Disqualify thousands every election Play huge role in jurist’s guardianship 6 year terms

Assembly of Religious Experts 86 men elected by direct elections Elect the Supreme Leader (can dismiss him) Must be approved by Guardian Council (half elected by Supreme Leader) Rafsanjani—Surprisingly elected as leader as a reformist, but short term (pressured out) 8 year terms Moderates won 15/16 seats in Tehran, 59% overall in 2016

The Expediency Council 32 members, all appointed by Supreme Leader President, chief justice, speaker of Majiles, 6 jurists from Guardian Council Collectively, the most powerful people in Iran Guardian Council and Majiles argue constantly over laws Expediency Council set up to referee their disputes Now, can also create their own legislation

Executive branch Presidential, not parliamentary elections Elected by direct elections (highest elected official in Iran) Head of government Can Create govt. budget Supervise economy Propose legislation Execute policy Sign treaties Select VP Appoint governors

The Legislature (Majiles) Been around since 1906 (wow) 290 seats 2000 election—70 reformists elected 2004—What do you think the Guardian Council did? Still has power to: Create laws Compromise with Guardian Council Appoint 6 members of Guardian Council Approve budget Remove cabinet ministers

The Judiciary Decides two types of law Qunun—Man’s law (laws without religious meaning) Sharia—Religious law (higher than qunun) Chief Justice—Has to be a cleric No judicial review, because Islam decides everything Who decides what Islam’s position is?

Law in Iran Sharia law and Qanun law Qanun—non-religious laws passed by Majles (must not contradict Islam) Retribution Law— “Blood Money”—Compensation for a death caused by your family Death penalty for: Adultery, homosexuality, drug dealing, alcoholism Slowly becoming more Western Jaunary 13—three people executed for armed robbery January 11- 31 year old man executed for sodomy

Military Revolutionary Guard—Appointed by Ayatollah Defend the revolution Basij—Organization within the Guard that acts as brutal police force 2009 election Military—Defend the borders Also appointed by Ayatollah

White Board Review! These different parts of Iranian government are tough. Let’s practice with white boards

This organization is responsible for appointing the Supreme Leader, and theoretically for removing him.

This group reviews all laws passed by the Majiles to make sure they don’t violate Islam. They also get to eliminate any candidates for office they don’t like.

This position is the head of every day affairs in Iran.

This position is the head of state in Iran, but certainly isn’t a figurehead like the queen of England.

This group has existed since the shah’s reign, and can create legislation.

This is the highest office elected by direct elections in Iran.

This group is responsible for protecting the revolution in Iran…and shooting protesters.

This type of law is always superceded by sharia.

These men (always men in Iran) settle disputes between the Guardian Council and Majiles.

This is the concept that the clergy has the right to rule all citizens in Iran.

This man is the boss of all bosses.

FRQ—2011 #1, 2014 #8, 2015 #3