Thursday, April 2, 2009

4th Pd. Monday Notes

Apologies on the lateness of the post.

  • Ayatolla Khomeni argues that all accompassing authority over community; insists that only the senior clerics have the sole (the only people confident) to understand the Sharia.
  • Aruges that the divine authority of Muhammed and the Imaams have been passed on to the clergy.
  • Throughout history, clergy had championed rights of people against bad government and foreign power.
  • He began to resent the Shah; he was increasing central control, purchasing U.S. weapons, (more western businessmen in Iran)
  • Newspaper criticizes him, the community then speaks out.
  • 1977, only takes few sparks to ignite revolution (through economic difficulties and international pressures of human rights/violations)
  • Economic: 1977-8, 20% rise in oconsumer prices, 10% decline in oil revenues.
  • Cuts gov't funded construction projects, declares war against "price gougers". (Shopkeepers in the Bazaars)
  • Pressure of human rights stems from amnesty international and the Carter Administration in U.S. 1977, Shah yeilds to International pressures, lets Red Cross officials visit prisons in Iran.
  • lets defense attorneys to be presents at trials. (loosens of the rings)
  • Seals shah's fate.
  • "Bloody Friday" Troops fire into crowd killing hundreds of demonstraters.
  • Late 1978, strike btought economy to a halt.
  • Paralyzed oil, banks, transportation system, also media, bazaars, education, and civil service. (shut's down country).
  • Oil workers vowed to not export oil until they exported the Shah.
  • January 1979, Shah goes into exile.
  • Khomeni returns to iran in February '79, supporters announce "islamic revolution"
  • March 1979, nationwide referendum on whether or not to retain monarchy.
  • Monarchy is replaced with islamic republic.
  • Write a new constitution by late '79 by elected group called Assembly of Religious Experts.
  • Election for Assembly was boycotted by secular organizations and clerics who opposed Commenni.
  • The majority of people in this assembly were pro commenni clerics.
  • Draft a Theocratic Constitution with lots of authority in Clergy and for Khomeni, over the objections of the Prime Minister.
  • Commennni submitted clerical constitution in 1979.
  • 99% voters endorsed it, but voter participation dropped to 75%
  • Iraq invaded Iran in 1980-1988
  • Oil prices continued to climb.
  • Clerics were able to finance social programs
  • After second decade of Islamic Revolution, clerics run into problems
  • June 1989, Khomeni Dies.
  • Successor lacks charisma and credentials of Khomeni. His name was Khameini.
  • 1989, elections in Iran chooses new president (Ayatolla; senior cleric) Rafsanjani.
  • He is reelected in 1993 (4 year term)
  • He's a pragmatist, turns attention in Iran to economic issues, little political reform.
  • Except a slight shift of power away from clerics.
  • 1997, new president,Khatami.
  • He's in office for two terms.
  • It becomes easier for people to organize political groups, open protests.
  • 2004, elections to Majles Parliament, Guardian Counsel refused to allow 2500 reformers to run.
  • It became a conservative parliament.
  • Presidential election in 2005.
  • GC refused to let 1000 candidates (all women included) to run for office.
  • Achmadimenijad - Mayor of Turan. Won a runoff election system (demonstrates political election system).
  • Wins election with former president Rafsanjani (an ayatolla, millionaire).
  • Cabinet members did not want to back democratic reform.
  • Ahmadenijad declared Israel should be wiped off map.
  • Rejects package of aid from Europe.
  • 2008, growing discontents with Ahmadenijad:
  • 1, unemployment. 2. Inflation, 3. Fuel Shortages, 4. Increasing Inequality.
  • Discontent. Not allowed to affect parliamentary elections.
  • over 4700 ran for 290 seats in Majles.
  • 1700 candidates were disqualified by GC, insufficiently loyal to Iranian Revolution and Islam.
  • These people including 19 sitting members of Majles.
  • Constituted 90% of independent and reformist candidates.
  • Allies of Ahmadenijad including Society of Engineers and Combatant Clergy kept hold on parliament.
  • Independence claimed some 39 states, 14 were in favor of reform.
  • 5 seats made for the Jewish, Zoroastrian, and Christian, 70 races went to runoff elections.
  • Politics Today: preparation for June 2009 Presidential Election.
  • Ahmadenijad is running again, not officially declared candidacy.
  • Former president was in race until March 17, he dropped out.
  • Cannot control prices of oil.
  • Iran, 1/2 of budget subsidize life necessities (in rations). 30 month Gasoline ration, 36 cents a gallon. 44 a gallon for unrationed.
  • Subsidized milk is 20 cents a quart.
  • Ahmadenijad announced restructuring, ending subsidies over next few months, replaced with 70 dollar a month payment to low income families. Also taxes on people.
  • Plan was not well recieved. 70 dollars a month wouldn't replace value of subsidies.
  • October, Bazaars close shop to protest the 3% sales tax. Goverment delayed opposing the tax for a year, Iranians feared poverty.

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