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Last Word: No homework
FrontPage: What do you know about Iran?
Three Nations on Three Nations on the Road To the Road To
ModernizationModernization
Today’s Nation: Iran
The Basics
“Freedom” Rankings:135/150 in democracy6/7 in political rights6/7 in civil liberties
Facts:Slightly larger than Alaska
2nd largest in ME Population – 68 million
3rd largest in ME4th largest oil reserves in the world
138 billion barrelsMoney –rial
History Formerly known
as Persia– Persians and
Safavids were empires who controlled the region at various times
Line of kings (Shahs) control Iran until the last shah is overthrown in 1979.–Begins the theocratic “Islamic Republic of Iran”
Tehran
Capital city – Has grown rapidly in recent
years– Now home to about 12 million
people
World’s Major Oil Producers and Reserves
The People
Primarily Shiite Muslims (89%), some Sunnis (9%)– Only Shiite nation in the world
Most speak Persian (58%)
Iran’s Challenges
Biggest challenge facing Iran, aside from some desire for more democracy– Its youth population is
growing rapidly– Need to provide education
and jobs for this group
Last Word: Ch 27 test Friday
A computer model projection for January 6th, depicting differences between expected and average temperatures for the Continental U.S.
FrontPage: NNIGN
Iran – Modern Politics and Challenges…
Modernization
Feelings of nationalism fed the drive to modernize– Iran was first in MidEast to end western
control of its oil resources In the 50’s/60’s, Shah Muhammed
Pahlavi began sweeping reforms– Land redistribution, improved health care,
education, women’s rights These reforms angered many religious
leaders in Iran– Believed the government was corrupt and
greedy; did not want ties to western values and companies
The Islamic Revolution
Shah gradually loses support of many Iranians
• They begin to support a new, religious leader
Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini
•Cleric who spoke against the reforms of the shah•Wanted people to return to their traditional ways
The Islamic Revolution
In 1979, Khomeini’s supporters overthrew the US-supported shah and put him in power– Replaced secular courts with
religious courts; enforced strict hijab
– Banned western movies and music– Took 52 Americans hostage for
more than a year• Iran hostage crisis of 1979
Current leadership in Iran The President of Iran is the head of
government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. – The President is the highest popularly
elected official in Iran, although the President answers to the Supreme Leader of Iran, who functions as the country's head of state.
The President of Iran is elected for a four-year term by the direct vote of the people and may not serve for more than two consecutive terms or more than 8 years.
The current President of Iran is Hassan Rouhani, who took office after the ‘13 presidential election. – He succeeded Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
who served 8 years in office from 2005 to 2013.
The (Supreme) Leader The Supreme Leader of Iran is the
head of state/highest ranking authority in Iran. – More powerful than the President of Iran
and appoints the heads of many powerful posts in the military, the civil government, and the judiciary.
The Supreme leader holds his position for life (or until he is removed)
The Supreme Leader is elected by the Assembly of Experts, a deliberative body of Islamic theologians– Members of the assembly are elected
from lists of candidates by direct public vote for eight-year terms
Recent Developments Iran and nuclear power/weapons
– This has been an ongoing issue between US and Iran for past few years…
The “Green Movement”
The “Green Movement” in Iran A political movement that arose after
the June 2009 presidential election, in which protesters demanded the removal of Ahmadinejad from office.
The official results showed Ahmadinejad winning by a landslide, though Hassan Mousavi (his challenger) and others believed the results were fraudulent. – Green was initially used as the symbol
of Mousavi's campaign, but after the election it became the symbol of unity and hope for those asking for annulment of what they regarded as a fraudulent election.
Iran and Nuclear Power Iran has tried to develop nuclear power for the
past several years.– According to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty,
signed by most world nations, you cannot have a nuclear program unless you agree to the treaty requirements.
• Regular inspections, only for peaceful energy purposes, etc.
– Iran has faced punishing sanctions by the US and world community that have hurt its economy
Problem is: peaceful nuclear power development looks an awful lot like what it takes to make nuclear weapons; – One often comes with the other
