Key Terms in Iranian Government
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Questions and Answers

In Iran, the concept of jurist guardianship states that senior _____ have authority over the entire community.

clerics

What defines a theocracy?

  • A state dominated by the military
  • An autocratic regime without religious influence
  • A parliamentary system with elected officials
  • A state where clergy rule on the grounds of interpreting God's will (correct)

    • What is sharia?

    Islamic law derived mostly from the Qur'an and the examples set by the Prophet Muhammad.

    Who was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad?

    <p>President of Iran from 2005 to 2013.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Assembly of Experts?

    <p>An elected body of 86 members that chooses the supreme leader.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What title is given to scholars who have demonstrated advanced knowledge of Islamic law and religion in Shiite Islam?

    <p>Ayatollah</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Basij?

    <p>A people's militia that serves as a public morals police.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are bonyads?

    <p>Parastatal foundations made in part from assets nationalized after the Iranian Revolution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the Expediency Council?

    <p>An appointed body that mediates between the Majlis and the Guardian Council over legislative disputes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What language is primarily spoken in Iran?

    <p>Farsi</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the Guardian Council?

    <p>An appointed body that vets candidates for office and can overturn legislation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Islamic Republic of Iran?

    <p>The name for post-revolutionary Iran.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is Ali Khamenei?

    <p>The current supreme leader of Iran, as of 1989.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Majlis refer to?

    <p>The legislature of Iran.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who was Reza Shah Pahlavi?

    <p>Monarch of Iran from 1925 to 1941.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Persia known as before 1935?

    <p>Iran</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Revolutionary Guard?

    <p>A paramilitary force charged with defending the regime from domestic and internal enemies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Shiism?

    <p>A minority sect of Islam that differs with Sunnism over the proper descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the supreme leader's role in Iran?

    <p>Chief spiritual and political leader of Iran.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the characteristics of a theocracy?

    <p>Rule by religion or religious leaders.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the White Revolution?

    <p>A policy of reforms enacted by Reza Shah, beginning in 1963, to rapidly modernize and Westernize Iran.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of electoral system does the lower house use?

    <p>Single-member and multi-member district majority.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an Ostan?

    <p>Main geographic features (provinces).</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the supreme court?

    <p>The chief judicial body.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the chief justice?

    <p>The apex of the judiciary, appointed by the supreme leader.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an authoritarian system?

    <p>A system of rule where decisions are made by political elites without much input from citizens.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does authority refer to in governance?

    <p>The legal right to exercise power.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does bicameral mean?

    <p>Two houses; a legislative assembly with two houses/parts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is bureaucracy?

    <p>A system of public administration; a hierarchical organization charged with carrying out the decisions of those with political authority.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a cabinet?

    <p>An important collective decision-making body that contains leaders from major departments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is capitalism?

    <p>A system of production based on private ownership and free markets.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a charismatic leader?

    <p>Someone who exerts power/authority based on their dynamic personality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is civil service?

    <p>Government workers, hired to prepare and carry out legislation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is civil society?

    <p>The space occupied by voluntary associations outside the state.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Key Terms and Concepts in Iranian Government

    • Clerics

      • Senior religious leaders in Iran with authority over the community under jurist guardianship.

    • Theocracy

      • A form of government where clergy dominate, ruling because they interpret God's will and law.

    • Sharia

      • Islamic law primarily based on the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad's teachings.

    • Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

      • Served as President of Iran from 2005 to 2013, emphasizing social justice and religious piety, with a confrontational stance towards the West.

    • Assembly of Experts

      • An elected body of 86 men who choose the Supreme Leader, serving 8-year terms; its future influence is unclear after Khamenei’s tenure.

    • Ayatollah

      • A title in Shiite Islam for scholars with advanced knowledge of Islamic law and religion.

    • Basij

      • Known as the "People's militia," it acts as a public morals police and was involved in conflict during the Iran-Iraq War.

    • Bonyads

      • Parastatal foundations that arose from nationalized assets following the Iranian Revolution.

    • Expediency Council

      • An appointed body that resolves disputes between the Majlis and the Guardian Council regarding legislation.

    • Farsi

      • The official language of Iran.

    • Guardian Council

      • An appointed group that oversees candidate eligibility and can veto legislation; made up of 12 members serving 6-year terms.

    • Islamic Republic of Iran

      • The designation for Iran since the revolution, indicating its theocratic nature.

    • Khamenei, Ali

      • The Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989, holding significant power over the state.

    • Majlis

      • The national legislature of Iran, responsible for passing laws.

    • Pahlavi, Reza Shah

      • Monarch of Iran from 1925 to 1941, known for modernizing efforts.

    • Persia

      • Historical name for Iran, used until 1935.

    • Revolutionary Guard

      • A paramilitary force dedicated to protecting the regime from internal and external threats.

    • Shiism

      • A minority branch of Islam, which differs from Sunnism primarily over leadership succession after the Prophet Muhammad.

    • Supreme Leader

      • The highest-ranking political and spiritual leader in Iran, holding ultimate authority.

    • White Revolution

      • A series of reforms initiated by Reza Shah starting in 1963 aimed at modernization and Westernization.

    • Single-member and Multi-member District Majority

      • Electoral system used for the lower house of Iran's legislature.

    • Ostan

      • The term for the main geographic divisions or provinces in Iran.

    • Supreme Court

      • The highest judicial authority in Iran.

    • Chief Justice

      • The top figure in the judiciary, appointed by the Supreme Leader, responsible for the judiciary's oversight.

    • Authoritarian

      • A governing system where power relies on authority rather than popular support, with decisions made by elites.

    • Authority

      • The legal entitlement to exercise power.

    • Bicameral

      • Describes a legislative assembly having two separate houses.

    • Bureaucracy

      • Organized public administration that implements political decisions.

    • Cabinet

      • A collective body of key ministers or secretaries of the executive branch that aids in decision-making.

    • Capitalism

      • An economic system characterized by private ownership and market-driven production.

    • Charismatic Leader

      • A leader who derives authority from their compelling personality.

    • Civil Service

      • Government employees tasked with developing and enacting policies.

    • Civil Society

      • The realm of voluntary organizations and associations that exist apart from government institutions.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on key terms and concepts related to the Iranian government. This quiz covers topics such as theocracy, clerics, and significant political figures like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Enhance your understanding of Iran's unique political structure and its implications.

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