1. IRAN

2. Political Economy 19th century – dependent on the west – Economic privileges 20th century – Oil dependence – Rentier state: exporting and leasing out natural resources

3. Political Economy The Shah believed wealth would trickle down

4. Political Economy After the Islamic revolution population growth Strain on government resources 1980-1988: war further strained resources Pragmatism won in 1989: smaller families Islamic Republic also scored some success

6. Governance and Policymaking Theocracy – A form of government in which ideally all laws are grounded in religion and express the will of God, and the clergy exercises supreme power And democracy – Presidential, parliamentary, and local elections.

8. Organization of the state Leader – Centre of executive, legislative, judiciary – Chosen by the Assembly of Experts Assembly of experts – Assembly members have to have seminary degrees and passed religious exams drafted by the Guardian Council – Assembly can dismiss the leader if they find him incapable The leader can appoint and remove judges

9. Organization of the State President – Chief Executive – Elected by universal suffrage every four years – Proposes legislation to the Majles – Signs treaties – Conducts internal external policy – Appoints bureaucrats and managers of state- owned firms

10. Institutions Parliament (the Majles) – About 290 members – Must be Muslims with five seats for other religions Limitations on the Majles’ legislative role. – All its bills and candidates are subject to the veto of the Council of Guardians

11. Institutions Council of Guardians – Six members of the ulema and six lay Muslim lawyers. – Ulema appointed by the Leader; lawyers nominated by the Judiciary but approved by the Parliament

12. Institutions Expediency Council – “A council for determination of what is in the interest of the regime” – arbitration of conflict – Since 1989 revision of the constitution – Leader appoints its members

13. Judiciary Shari’a Law Local judges vs. Centralized judiciary Moral crimes Eye for an eye Stoning, hanging as well as imprisonment

14. Presidential Elections 1980 first ever presidential election The next four elections: Khomeini associates 1997-2005 Khatami – “outsider”; appealed to those who had been humiliated by the regime – Promised greater cultural openness and personal freedom 2005- Ahmedinejad 2013- Rouhani