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Cultural Revolution, 1980-1983. Main Goal: Cleanse society of secular and Western influence Education System: Primary agent of Islamic socialization. Curricula at all school levels emphasized: Religious Studies -- Islamic Revolution Islamic culture -- Anti-western
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Cultural Revolution, 1980-1983 • Main Goal: • Cleanse society of secular and Western influence • Education System: • Primary agent of Islamic socialization. • Curricula at all school levels emphasized: • Religious Studies -- Islamic Revolution • Islamic culture -- Anti-western • Universities closed from 1980-1983. • Center of anti-regime activism • Reopened under the control of Islamic regime • Purged universities of leftists and secularists. • Successful or unsuccessful?
Iranian Government • Constitution of 1979 • Written by the Assembly of Religious Experts • Ended Monarchy • Regime Change to a Theocracy • “Velayat-e Faqih” (The Guardianship of the Jurist) • Traditional Shia term. • Religious leaders have authority over unfortunate people (widows, orphans, etc.) • Shiism traditionally shunned political involvement. • Khomeini, however, said that in the absence of the Hidden Imam, the clergy have religious AND political authority over the ENTIRE community.
Iranian System of Government • www.bbcnews.co.uk
The Supreme Leader • Head of state • HOLDS ULTIMATE POWER • Must be an ayatollah • Appointed for LIFE by Assembly of Experts Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (1979-1989) Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (1989-present)
The Supreme Leader: Head of State • Faqih: Leading Islamic Jurist • Interprets sharia • Supervises policy implementation • Sets general guidelines of Iran • Dismiss president • Commander-in-Chief • Appoints: • Head of Judiciary, Revolutionary Guard Commanders, Media Directors, Friday Prayer Leaders, The Expediency Council, & half of The Guardian Council (6 members)
Guardian Council • 12 Members • 6 appointed by Supreme Leader (usually clerics) • 6 appointed by Head of Judiciary • 6 year term Powers • Veto legislation from Majles (violates Sharia) • Vet candidates for all offices • 2012: 5,000 candidates registered for Parliamentary elections; 1/3 were disqualified. • 2009: 143 applied as candidates for president; 3 were approved.
Assembly of Religious Experts • 86 members • 8 year term • Elected by the people Powers • Select the Supreme Leader • Can remove Supreme Leader
The Expediency Council • 32 Members • Appointed by Supreme Leader • 3 year terms Powers • Referees disputes between Majles and Guardian Council. • Can initiate legislation • Advisory body to Supreme Leader