IRANPart 3: Student Presentations

Citizens, Society, & the State

*Information in RED added by Mrs. Silverman

Iran: Ethnic Cleavages

By: Kaeyn, Jessica, Danielle

Ethnic Groups• Official language of Iran is Persian (Farsi). • Most important ethnic groups with specific

history, culture, customs, and language are: o Turkso Kurdso Azeriso Arabso Turkmanso Lurso Baluchis

Ethnic Groups• Official language of Iran is Persian (Farsi). • Many Azeris live in the NW close to Azerbaijan,

creating a worry that they will want to form a larger state by taking territory from Iran– BUT, they are strongly Shiite and Supreme Leader is

Azeri• Ethnic minorities are regularly sentenced to

death by hanging • Kurds and Arabs tend to be Sunni Muslim, so

the religious cleavage is reinforced by ethnicity

• Turks believe that they are the original inhabitants of Iran• Several Turkish dynasties have ruled Iran: Safavids, Qajars,

Seljuk, and Ghaznavid• Kurds and the Azeris seek independence and have

frequently agitated for more cultural freedom and a greater degree of autonomy– Both groups are concentrated in the north– Muhammad Reza Shah and his father successfully thwarted any

secessionist tendencies of both groups – Now only a select few seek to still get independence from Iran

Minorities

Iran Religious Cleavages

Bogdan Cioanta, Caroline Filan, Katie Grover

Religious Percentages

• 89% Shi’a Muslim• 10% Sunni Muslim• 1% Combination of

Jews, Christians, Zoroastrian, and Baha’i

Constitutional Rights?

• There are rights given by the constitution and guarantees basic rights, but many have fled country since 1979 to escape persecution

Baha’i Persecution• Baha’i’s have been persecuted

because Shi’ites believe it to be an unholy offshoot of Islam

• Leaders have been killed, imprisoned, tortured, schools have closed and property taken by state

• Many have immigrated to Canada along with large groups of Jews and Armenian Christians

• Sunni Muslims are in a similar situation and rights are unclear

Social Class CleavagesAshley C.Katie S.Amanda B.

Upper/ Middle Class North Clergy members, large land owners, and

industrialists Entrepreneurs, bazaar merchants,

professionals, managers, military officers

More educated More secular

Working Class Kargar Working class divided into different

groups Unskilled workers Strikes/protests

Lower Class Characteristics 2 groups: those with regular

employment and those without Lifestyle

Statistics After the revolution, the composition of the middle class did not

change significantly, but its size doubled from about 15 percent of the population in 1979 to more than 32 percent in 2000

 The largest component, factory workers, numbered about 2.5 million on the eve of the Revolution, double the number in 1965, accounting for 25 percent of Iran's total labor force. Since 1979, the urban working class has continued to expand; by the early 2000s, it constituted more than 45 percent of the employed labor force

 In cities with populations greater than 250,000, the lower class makes up an average of 40 to 50 percent of the total population

 Recipients of regular incomes of people employed in the diverse services sector, such as attendants , bakery workers, sales clerks, domestic servants, trash collectors, painters, street cleaners, etc. These job categories include at least 1 million workers who are employed only occasionally or seasonally, primarily as a result of the shortage of full-time positions in an economy that has had an official unemployment rate ranging between 10 and 15 percent of the labor force since the early 1990s

Ideological Cleavages

Josh Havrilla & Josh Birdsell

EXPLANATION OF TOPIC (CONSERVATIVES)

• Adhere to Shar’ia law• Majority in Parliament • Generally want things to remain the same (stability)

EXPLANATION OF TOPIC (REFORMERS)

• Promote Secularization • Value stronger democratic ideals

PERCENT OF THE VOTE (2012 LEGISLATIVE ELECTION)

Reformers• 11,451,367 (35.5%)

Conservative• 19,087,397 (59.7%)

• NOTE: Most reformers do not want to do away with the basic principles of an Islamic state, but they display a wide array of opinions about how much and where secularization and democracy should be infused into the system.

Iranian Protests

Tristan SnowAndrew Christopher Hartnett

Explanation

• 2009 Presidential Elections• Ahmadinejad Won• Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Medhi Karroubi

were most supported

The 2009–10 Iranian election protests were a series of protests following the 2009 Iranian presidential election against the disputed victory of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and in support of opposition candidates Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi which occurred in major cities in Iran and around the world starting June 13 th 2009.

EXAMPLE

Timeline• Jun 12, 2009- Election results announced• Jun 13, 2009- first day of protest• Jun 14, 2009- Basji paramilitary invades Tehran University• Jun 20, 2009- First Casualty, video on Facebook and YouTube• Jun 26, 2009- 2 million demonstrate in Tehran• Dec 7, 2009- University students’ rally turns into protest, marks aniversary

of Shah’s killing of 3 students in 1953• Dec 21, 2009- funeral of Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, cleroc

who was critical of Ahmadinejad, hundreds of thousands attend• Dec 28, 2009- martial Law is declared in Najaf Abad

Other Names

Green RevolutionSea of GreenGreen Wave

In October of 2012, a demonstration erupted over the failing currency. This was the first outbreak of public anger over Iran’s collapsing currency and other economic problems. The riot police violently clamped down on black-market money changers, hundreds of citizens marching to demand relief and merchants in the sprawling bazaar closing their shops in protest.

EXAMPLE

By:Maddy Gamma, Callie Galfas, and Rachel Cleypool

*Women and the Political System

*Women’s Rights

*Granted the right to vote in 1963*First admitted into Iranian universities in

1937*Now account for over half of Iran's university

students *Although they have been given more rights,

in some areas their rights are still in question. For example, it is under debate whether or not women should be allowed to smoke hookah

*Women in Politics

*Nine women out of 290 in Majles*Women can run for seats in Majles, but are

constitutionally barred for the presidency*The constitution states that “the president will be

elected from religious-political men, or "rijal," a plural for man in Arabic”

*Well represented in some areas: doctors and government employees*Very difficult to get hired – represent 33% of labor force

*Restrictions on Women

*Must wear hijab* “bad hijab” is the exposure of any body part except for the hands or face* Punishable by either 70 lashes or 60 days in prison

*Divorce/custody laws now follow Islamic standards*Ban on public discussion of women’s issues in a way that contradicts Islamic law

*Women over the age of 18 need consent of their father before they travel, and if they are married they needs husbands approval before receiving any documents

*A new bill that is being debated would give husbands or fathers the right to take away the women's documents at any time, even after they have been granted “Bad Hijab”

Iran Political Parties

Andrew ClarkNolan English

سیاسیایرانب

احزا

Overview• Constitution guarantees right for citizens to organize• Political parties were outlawed in 1987 by Ayatollah

Khomeini due to factional infighting• Government did not allow them until Khatami’s election as

president in 1997• Only parties that do not challenge the Islamic regime can

actively participate

Active Political Parties• Opposition parties banned 1983• Party system reflects factionalism

• Splintering of political elites on points of view and personalities• Parties are unstable and likely to change• Form coalitions before elections

• Four main coalitions Conservatives• Reformists• Independents• Religious minorities

Red - Conservatives (182) Green - Reformists (75) Yellow - Independents (19) Gray - Religious minorities (14)

Types of political parties

There are a total of 64 political parties in Iran which can be divided into these categories: • Communists• Socialist and Social Democrats• Ethnic nationalist• Muslim Democrats• Liberal Democrats• Anti-Islamic Nationalist

سیاسیایرانب

احزا

The major active partiesIn 1997 President Khatami, along with his reformist supporters, created two major parties :The Islamic Participation Front: The party is Pro-Islam and supports

Democracy in Iran. The decision center of the party is the Central Council which has 30 members.

ایرانیان همه برای ایران“Iran for all Iranians”The Islamic labor party: This party was formed after abolishing the previous decades of union workers and puts emphasis on nationalism, populism, reformism and Islamism.The Servants of reconstruction: formed

by Hashemi Rafsanjani, the current chairmen of the Expediency Council

سیاسیایرانب

احزا

The major opposition parties

• Any real political opposition has been exiledo The Liberation Movement - Formed by Iran's first prime

minister but he resigned months after students took over the US embassy. It is a moderate Islamic party but it supports the separation of church and state.

o The National Front- Originally wanted the oil industry nationalized. Committed to nationalism and secularism. Supports the ideals of the former Prime Minister Muhammad Mosaddeq.

سیاسیایرانب

احزا

Other opposition partieso The Mojahedin- Formed as a guerrilla organization to fight the Shah.

They believed in Marxism and Islam. They saw Islam as a religion that favored equality, social justice, and redistribution of wealth.

o The Fedayin- Modeled its self after the Marxist guerrilla movements taking place in Latin America in the 1970’s. During their fight with the Shah they lost more fighters than any other group and this earned them a lot of popular support among citizens.

o The Tudeh- Established in the 1940’s they were formerly supportive of the Soviet communist party. Strongly anti-imperialist, most of its leaders have been executed and has since lost much of its strength due to government repression and internal splits.

سیاسیایرانب

احزا

Banned political partiesTwo of the previous five opposition parties have been banned

and the leaders executed.• The National front: Banned because the clergy felt threatened

by their potential appeal• The Tudeh: In 1949 the party was blamed for the attempted

assassination Shah Mohammed Reza – the leaders were executed and party was forever banned. The government "confiscated its assets, dissolved affiliated organizations, especially the Central Council and rounded up some 200 leaders and cadres.“

سیاسیایرانب

احزا

Interest Groups In Iran.By: Jake, Riley, and Leevz.

Explanation of the topic

• In Iran interest groups exert influence on political, legal, and religious systems.

• There are many interest groups within Iran and they each serve their own purpose.

• Each group is composed of individuals that all share common interests and have a common goal within the particular group.

Examples.• The Tudeh Party of Iran- This is a communist interest group

in Iran it played an important role in Mohammad Mosaddeq’s Campaign. It was formed in 1941 with Soleiman Eskandri as the head.

• Student Movement Coordination Commitee for Democracy in Iran (SMCCDI)- They oppose theocracy, attempt to create a better tomorrow, and implement bill of rights.

• The is also smaller interest groups in Iran that deal with media that spread information throughout Iran.

• Although there is not many interest groups in Iran.

Organized Labor Movement

• Concerns:– High unemployment– Low wages– Lack of decent housing– Unsatisfactory labor law - denies the right to call

strikes and organize unions• Workers’ House (1979) • Islamic Labor Party (1999)• May Day Rally is their main protest

Women’s Rights• Gained momentum after 1963 • White Revolution

– Won the right to vote– Hold public office

• Family Protection Law (1975) allowed for more rights concerning divorce, custody, and reduced polygamy

• Modern Issues:– Job security– Pay scales– Promotions– Maternity leave– Higher-level professions

• The One Million Signatures Movement

Islamic Association of Women

Goals are Introduce “genuine Islamic Culture” Support the rights of the oppressed Prevent superpowers from imposing

culture and racism Enhance women’s scientific, intellectual,

and cultural capabilities Increase women’s rights and

participation in civil society

IRAN:MASS MEDIAPAXTON ALEXANDER & DAVIS JOHNSON

NEWS AND MEDIA• Foreign and Non-State controlled media is illegal and strictly controlled by the government • The largest media organization in Iran the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, is entirely

controlled by the government with the president being appointed by the Supreme Leader every 5 years

• The Islamic Revolutionary Court has the right to monitor, suspend publication, and revoke the licenses of publications it finds guilty of “antireligious material, slander, or information detrimental to the national interest”

Level of freedom of press has varied with faction in power• Khatami – issued permits to dozens of new publications to create

independent press• After 2000 Majles elections when many reformist were elected,

outgoing Majles approved a press control law, which Council of Guardian said could not be overturned by new legislature

NEWS AND MEDIA• Freedom of the press• Must follow Islamic beliefs • Must have a publishing license (act of publication against

Islam is not permitted and can be punished by the revoking of a publication license)

• Anything anti-government can be considered anti-Islamic

NEWS AND MEDIA • No censorship of non-fiction books exist• Non Islamic books are subject to confiscation • Publishers and authors that publish and write non-Islamic

books are held responsible for attempting to offend public morals or Islam

NEWS AND MEDIA • In 1987, all papers and magazines in circulation were set

up to support the Islamic Republic of Iran. • Virtually no new works of contemporary fiction have

appeared in print.• Radio and television is controlled by the government.• Several banned broadcasting groups broadcast in

countries such as Iraq.• Despite the ban on Google applications, including Gmail

and YouTube, Iranians often turn to illegal satellite receivers to as alternative sources of information

SOCIAL MEDIA IN IRANJACK THOMPSON, NICK PASQUERELLO & GREY DAVIS

Media in Iran is both privately and publicly owned.• Both are subject to censorship by the government.

The government engages in censorship programs to anything divergent from the country’s regulations.

• The majority of Iranians, around eighty-percent, receive their news from government-owned media.

• This helps reduce the assimilation of news into the public sphere that the government does not approve of.

Many Iranian citizens use VPN networks to surpass the governments internet restrictions to use social media’s such as Twitter and Facebook.

OVERVIEW:

ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY COURT: A special court called the Islamic Revolutionary Court, has authority to monitor the print media in the country.

• If a jury finds them guilty of publishing antireligious material, slander, or information detrimental to the national interest, then:

• May: suspend publication or revoke licenses of papers or journals.

STATISTICS:Around 963 pages in Iran are blocked from the general public.

• Half of these pages are about people.• Of this half, around 108 citizens of Iran have allegedly been killed and 161 have

been detained.Of the blocked pages:- Civil and Political-------------- 42%- Sex and Sexuality------------- 20%- Religion---------------------------- 14%- Human Rights------------------- 10%- The Arts ---------------------------- 6%- Media and Journalism----- 5%- Academic Page-------------- 2%

Harry Potter Actress Emma Watson is blocked from the internet in Iran.

Women’s Rights

• Gained momentum after 1963 • White Revolution

• Won the right to vote• Hold public office

• Family Protection Law (1975) allowed for more rights concerning divorce, custody, and reduced polygamy

• Modern Issues:• Job security• Pay scales• Promotions• Maternity leave• Higher-level professions

• The One Million Signatures Movement