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.