Comparative Politics Ch 9 Iran

Front 1

sharia

Back 1

The Islamic system of law, based on the Quran and on the teachings and actions of Muhammad. Usually coexists with Western law.

Front 2

Arab League

Back 2

A Middle Eastern international organization founded in 1945 that has promoted Arab nationalism, but its members have often disagreed over key international issues such as peace with Israel or the war in Iraq.

Front 3

Assembly of Experts

Back 3

This is a group of 86 Islamic scholars (known as mujtahid) whose job is to appoint and monitor Iran’s supreme leader.

Front 4

Expediency Council

Back 4

Formally the Council for the Discernment of Expediency, this is a group of about 30 politicians and clerics that exerts supervisory authority over the executive, judicial, and legislative branches, resolves differences of opinion between the Majlis and the Guardian Council on legislative issues, and advises the Leader on matters of national policy.

Front 5

Grand Ayatollah

Back 5

A title given to Shi’a Muslim authorities and that comes with the power to make legal decisions in accordance with the sharia.

Front 6

Guardian Council

Back 6

This is a group of 12 members (six clerics chosen by the Leader and six jurists selected by the head of the judiciary with Majlis approval, each for 6-year terms) charged with making sure that all candidates for public office fit with the ideals of the revolution, and with vetting all proposals for new laws.

Front 7

Iran-Contra affair

Back 7

A political scandal in the United States that came to light in November 1986 during the Reagan administration over an arms-for-hostages deal with Iran and funding for the Nicaraguan Contras.

Front 8

Iranian Revolution

Back 8

The events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the revolution.

Front 9

Islamic republic

Back 9

A state based on an Islamic constitution and full application of the sharia (although its precise role is sometimes ambiguous).

Front 10

Islamism

Back 10

Although definitions vary, this is a label that is usually applied to the particular set of political values associated with Islam.

Front 11

Islamization

Back 11

Islamic modernization, or change that borrows from other systems but that embodies Islamic principles and values and is not contrary to Islam.

Front 12

Majlis

Back 12

The 136-member lower chamber of the Iranian bicameral legislature

Front 13

Organization of the Islamic Conference

Back 13

A Middle Eastern international organization founded in 1969 that has been unable to overcome the focus by its members on their national interests at the expense of the collective interest of the Islamic umma.

Front 14

Orientalism

Back 14

A view of the East (the Orient) held by Westerners that is driven by Western assumptions, by a tradition of hostility, and by a desire to dominate.

Front 15

patrimonialism

Back 15

A style of leadership based around a strong leader who sees politics in personal terms and refuses to distinguish between his personal interests and the public interests of the state. Found in many Middle Eastern societies and African tribal societies.

Front 16

Persian Constitutional Revolution

Back 16

The signing of Iran’s first constitution in 1905 created the first elected Persian Majlis (legislature), a constitutional monarchy, and a prime minister and cabinet. Lasting from 1905 to 1911, this was the first movement of its kind in the Middle East, and might have led to more long-term democratic changes were it not for the discovery of oil and developments in the international environment.

Front 17

Quran

Back 17

The Islamic book of revelations given by Allah to the prophet Muhammad.

Front 18

Revolutionary Guards

Back 18

Created by Khomeini as a means of exerting control over the military and countering possible threats from officers still loyal to the shah, the Guards are separate from the regular Iranian military; whereas the latter is charged with national security, the Guards are charged with preserving the ideals of the revolution.

Front 19

SAVAK

Back 19

The Iranian shah's National Intelligence and Security Organization, which was to be responsible for the deaths of thousands of dissidents and the arrest and torture of thousands more.

Front 20

secularism

Back 20

A belief in maintaining a distance between religion and the state, and in keeping religious values out of political decisions.

Front 21

Shi’ah

Back 21

A Muslim sect (from Shiat-i-Ali, or partisans of Ali) who believe they are the true Muslims in the model of Muhammad, that the supreme leader of a country should be a religious leader, and that the sharia should be the law of the state.

Front 22

Sunni

Back 22

A Muslim sect who believe that the Prophet (al-sunna) was an ordinary human being, and while they support the sharia, they do not believe in religious leaders on earth.

Front 23

Supreme Leader

Back 23

The Iranian head of state who plays critical roles in both politics and religion.

Front 24

theocracy

Back 24

A state ruled by religious leaders.

Front 25

umma

Back 25

The Muslim community.

Front 26

universalism

Back 26

The unity of the Muslim community (the umma).

Front 27

velayat-e faqih

Back 27

A concept developed by Ayatollah Khomeini saying that the government should be in the hands of Muslim clergy with appropriate training, the guardianship of the religious jurist.

Front 28

White Revolution

Back 28

Launched by Iran's shah in 1963, a far-reaching series of economic and social reforms that were intended to regenerate Iran, they upset many Muslim clergy and over the long-term contributed to the shah’s eventual fall from power.