Iran and Authoritarian Regimes Flashcards

Authoritarianism and Regimes

• Authoritarianism entails nondemocratic governance, restricting citizen participation, competition, and freedom.
• Bureaucratic authoritarianism relies on state bureaucracy and military for technocratic leadership, viewing public participation as a hindrance.

Key Political Concepts

• Causation denotes a relationship where event "X" causes result "Y".
• Clientelism involves co-opting individuals through benefits for political support, relying on personal patronage.
• Co-option is a widespread tactic in nondemocratic regimes, creating dependency on the state for rewards.

Governance Structures

• Constitutions outline the governing principles and laws of a society.
• Corporatism consolidates control in non-democratic regimes by managing limited state-approved organizations representing public interests.
• Nondemocratic regimes lack public accountability, where power is centralized among a small elite without significant citizen input.

Legitimacy and Democracy

• Legitimacy represents the general belief in a government's right to rule.
• Liberal democracy emphasizes participation, competition, and civil liberties, contrasting with illiberal/hybrid regimes that blend democratic and authoritarian traits.
• Democratization is the transition process towards democracy, initially achieving procedural then substantive democracy.

Notable Figures and Institutions

• Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, elected in 2005, increased conservatism and faced protests in the 2009 election marred by allegations of fraud.
• The Assembly of Experts, an 88-member body, theoretically oversees the Supreme Leader's performance but relies on candidates vetted by the Guardian Council.
• Ayatollah Khomeini, the first Supreme Leader, introduced the concept of rule by clergy, emphasizing clerical authority in governance.

Societal Dynamics and Ethnicities

• Civil society consists of autonomous organizations outside state control, like religious and cultural institutions.
• Baha'is are a persecuted religious minority in Iran; Kurds are an ethnic group facing oppression.
• The Revolutionary Guard evolved from a paramilitary force supporting the regime to a significant economic player.

Economic Considerations

• Resource trap theory suggests that natural resources can hinder modernization and democracy, allowing leaders to avoid tax responsibilities.
• Rentier state refers to reliance on external revenues from natural resources, impacting state structure and governance.

Legal and Religious Frameworks

• Sharia law is the legal system in Iran, derived from the Koran, governing various aspects of life.
• The Guardian Council, comprised of clerics and legal experts, reviews legislation to ensure conformity with Islamic principles.
• Velayat-e Faqih advocates for clerical rule, suggesting that senior clerics are best suited to govern in an Islamic society.

Historical Context

• The Iranian Revolution transformed Iran into a theocracy in 1979, emphasizing religious leadership.
• The White Revolution initiated in 1963 by the Shah aimed to modernize Iran through land reform and women's enfranchisement but faced protests.

Political Dynamics

• Populism conveys the belief that elites do not adequately represent the populace, often led by charismatic leaders.
• One-party rule indicates total control by a single political party, often accompanied by suppressing alternative parties.
• SANAVAK was the secret police under the Shah, maintaining control until the revolution in 1979.

External Relations

• The Iran nuclear deal aimed to prevent nuclear weapon development in exchange for lifting sanctions, negotiated by the U.S. and world powers.
• OPEC, of which Iran is a founding member, governs oil production policies among member countries.

Additional Observations

• The cultural revolution in the 1980s sought to eliminate Western influences in Iran.
• Charismatic legitimacy arises from a leader's appeal, impacting their authority and governance style.

Test your knowledge on the concepts of authoritarianism and bureaucratic authoritarianism through these flashcards. Learn how these regimes impact citizen participation, competition, and liberty. This quiz is essential for understanding political systems and governance in Iran.