The Islamic Republic of Iran

Sovereignty, Authority, and

Power

Presentation Outline

I. Sovereignty, Authority, and Power

a) state, regimes, and nationsb) Sovereigntyc) Sources of Legitimacyd) Political culture

I. a) states, regime, and nations

• Like China, Iran is an ancient state and civilization.

• The Iranian state, formerly known as Persia, has been around in one form or another for over 2500 years. Right: Darius the Great, ruler

of the Persian Empire, 450 B.C.E

Regimes

Regimes of modern Iran/Persia1) Qajar Dynasty, 1796-1925- authoritarian

monarchy2) Pahlavi Dynasty, 1925-1979- authoritarian

monarchy

3) Islamic theocratic republic, 1979-present- totalitarian theocracy

Features of the Pahlavi dynasty under Muhammad Reza Shah

• The Shah assumed the throne from his father in 1941

Features of his regime:• Authoritarian• Corruption • Modern, Western, and

secular• Pro-US

Authoritarian• Although there was a

constitution and an elected assembly, Iran was NOT a constitutional monarchy

• Torture and arrest of political prisoners was commonplace

• Many of these political prisoners were Islamic radicals opposed to the Shah’s modernization

Corruption

• Only a small percentage of Iran’s oil wealth trickled down to ordinary Iranians

• Much of the wealth was concentrated in the hands of an elite who were loyal to the Shah

• This caused resentment

Modern, Western, and Secular• Using some of the state’s

new found wealth from oil profits the Shah built new roads, schools, and universities

• Women were encouraged to work outside the home, attend school

• Islamic practices were discouraged in public

Right: An Iranian film industry emerged showing Hollywood-like films

Pro-US• The Shah was a close US

ally• The US received a steady

supply of Iranian oil and a cold war ally, while Iran received billions of dollars in weapons and military aid

• The Shah also had a strategic alliance with Israel

Above: The Shah shaking hands with close ally US President Jimmy Carter

Why did the Shah’s regime fall?

1) Authoritarianism alienated the middle classes

2) Corruption weakened the regime’s legitimacy

3) The Shah’s Pro-US alliance and emphasis on modernization and Westernization alienated Iran’s Muslims

• Riots and violence broke out on the streets of Tehran

• A power vacuum was created and the Ayatollah Khomeini and his followers stepped in to lead the revolution

The Islamic Republic of Iran

Established in 1979 after the abdication of the Shah

Features:

Theocratic- laws are based on Islamic sharia law

Totalitarian: the regime imposes strict codes on conduct and morality

Some democratic elements: an elected assembly and an elected president

NationsIran is a multi-ethnic state with several nations. The Persians are largest nation in Iran, and Farsi (Persian) is the official language

I. b) Sovereignty

Iran is a very centralized unitary state. There are municipal but no regional or provincial level governments.

China and the UK are also unitary states. How do they differ from Iran in this regard?

Challenges to Iranian sovereignty

• Rentier state status• International sanctions on Iran• Iran’s nuclear ambitions

Rentier state status

• Iran’s economy is heavily dependent on oil• Most of the government’s revenue comes from

oil sales (rents)• Declining oil prices tend to weaken the regime

and affect its domestic and foreign policy• Iran also must import petrol from

neighbouring states as it does not have the capacity to refine its own oil

International economic sanctions

• The international community began imposing economic sanctions on Iran shortly after the 1979 Revolution.

• US sanctions tend to be the harshest.• Individual states (Canada, Britain, Japan, etc.)

have also imposed separate bilateral sanctions on Iran

• The United Nations has also imposed sanctions on Iran dealing with nuclear technology

US Sanctions UN Sanctions•Ban on all trade in oil•Complete arms(weapons) embargo•Ban on all trade in aircraft or aviation technology•Frozen assets of Iranian banks in the USA•Ban on all imported products originating in Iran

•Ban on the supply of nuclear material and related technology•Arms (weapons) embargo•Travel restrictions on individuals working in the nuclear technology field

For a more detailed list of sanctions see:http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/21/us-iran-nuclear-sanctions-idUSTRE70K03O20110121

International sanctions on Iran have had a crippling effect on Iran’s economy. Comparatively, there is little foreign direct investment in Iran’s economy. Less investment = less economic growth.

Source:http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1323.aspx

Effects of Sanctions on Iran

Iran’s nuclear ambitions

• The Iranian regime is committed to developing nuclear technology.

• According to the Iranian regime, this is for peaceful purposes, namely to meet increasing energy demands.

• However, the international community claims that Iran is seeking to enrich uranium in order to develop nuclear weapons

http://www.iaea.org/

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a U.N. agency, regularly monitors and inspects Iran`s nuclear program.

The Iranians view this as direct challenge to the state`s sovereignty. There are a number of other states which possess nuclear technology and weapons and yet do not have to undergo IAEA inspections and monitoring.

Other states with nuclear weapons and technology: India, Pakistan, Israel, Russia, etc.

Iran’s influence

• Membership in OPEC• Exporting the Shi’a revolution

Membership in OPEC

Iran’s membership in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) gives it enormous influence over the price and supply of oil. When demand for oil is high Iran’s political and economic influences rises proportionally.

Exporting the Shi`a Islamic revolution

•There are many Shi`a Muslims in the Middle East who live outside Iran`s borders.•Iran`s leaders sponsor and fund the militant group Hezbollah which seeks to establish Shi`a theocracies outside Iran.

Right: Hezbollah militiamen in Lebanon

I. c) Sources of Legitimacy

1) Charismatic legitimacy under the Ayatollah Khomeini, 1979-1989

2) Traditional legitimacy: Shi’a Islam

3) Attempts at rational-legal legitimacy• constitution• semi-competitive elections

Charismatic Legitimacy• The Ayatollah Khomeini

personified charismatic legitimacy.

• His was the face of the new regime and his followers and supporters counted in the millions.

• With his death in 1989,however, the regime would have to find other sources of legitimacy

Traditional Legitimacy• Muslim armies invaded and

conquered Iran (Persia) in the 7th century

• By the 9th century Iran had been nearly completely Islamized with over 90% of the population converting to Shi`a Islam

• The current Iranian regime can claim to be based on traditional legitimacy since as a theocracy its rule is based on centuries of Islamic teachings and practice

Attempts at Rational-legal legitimacy

• Direct elections for the Majlis (Assembly) and the President

• These elections are generally considered competitive, though not always free and fair

• 1979 Constitution established a theocratic regime with limited democratic elements

• There are guarantees for the protection of civil liberties and rights, though these are not necessarily always enforced

I. d) Political Culture

• Shi’a Islam• Secular middle class• Authoritarianism• Ethnic politics

Shi`a Islam

• Although Iran is a mult-ethnic state, the vast majority (90%+) of Iranians are Shi`a Muslims

• Shi`a Islam can be both a unifying factor as it was in Iran`s war with Iraq or a source of division with Iranian society as not all Iranians are devout

Above: Iranian soldiers taking up defensive positions. Iraqi leader Sadam Hussein's attack on Iran unified the people of Iran in resistance the Sunni Muslim aggressors

Secular middle class

• The middle class is nominally Shi`a but many are not devout and hold Western and secular values regarding religious freedoms

• The middle class is often hostile to and suspicious of the clerics

• The Westernized middle class is a legacy of the Shah`s rule

• The middle class is also more inclined to support reformist politicians

Above: middle class homes in Tehran with illegal satellite dishes

Ethnic politics• Although the vast majority of

Iranians share a common Shi`a religion, many ethnic minorities have serious grievances with the government

The main grievances are:• Many local schools are not

allowed to teach in the local national language

• Neglect from Tehran which causes above-average unemployment

• Discrimination in applying for government jobs

•Some minority groups such as the Azeri are much more integrated into Iranian society and experience comparatively less discrimination•Generally, the Kurds, Arabs, and Baloochis have experienced the most discontent

•The Kurds are the least integrated in Iranian society and have frequently clashed with the Iranian military•The Kurds are Sunni rather than Shi`a Muslims

For further inquiry see:http://www.cfr.org/iran/irans-ethnic-groups/p12118

Discussion Questions

1) Compare and Contrast Iran`s Islamic revolution(1979) with China`s Cultural Revolution (1966-1969)

2) Should Iran have the sovereign right to develop nuclear technology. Why are some states allowed to develop nuclear technology while others (Iran, N.Korea) are not

3) Does Iran`s theocratic regime have enough legitimacy to survive well into the 21st century

4) Is a theocracy incompatible with the values of a democracy