AP Compare: Iran

The single largest ethnic group in Iran is

• Arab

• Shia

• Persian

• Azeri

Though originally called upon to fight on the front lines of the Iran-Iraq war, this institution is now known for their recent involvement in suppressing protests through intimidation and violence:

• Quds

• Mojahedin-e Khalgh Organization (MKO)

• Second Khordad Front

• Basij

In Iran, the head of the judiciary is

• chosen by majority vote in the Assembly of Religious Experts

• appointed by the Supreme Leader

• chosen by a two-thirds majority of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles)

• appointed by the Guardian Council

The White Revolution in Iran refers to

• the conservative policies enacted by President Ahmadinejad since 2005.

• the conservative backlash following the green movement in 2009.

• the attempts at modernization led by the shah in the 1960s.

• the overthrow of Iran’s democratically elected government in 1953.

Iranians differ from much of the Middle East in that

• they are not a majority Arab population and many do not speak Arabic.

• they are majority Sufi population.

• the majority of the population is Zoroastrian.

• they are majority Sunni population.

Within the legislative process, what is the relationship between the Majlis and the Expediency Council?

• The Expediency Council serves, as 12 individuals within the Majlis that vote in a bloc, to represent the Ayatollah’s interests.

• The Expediency Council has no formal power over legislation, but exerts a strong policy influence on the Majlis.

• The Expediency Council rules on unresolved legislative disagreements between the Guardian Council and the Majlis.

• The Expediency Council must approve all legislation issued by the Majlis based on compatibility with the constitution.

Operation Ajax refers to

• the U.S. covert program that was instrumental in the overthrow of Mohammad Mosaddeq.

• the removal of Reza Khan by the British in 1941.

• the revolutionary movements that toppled the monarchy in 1979.

• the seizure of the American embassy in 1979.

What kind of electoral system does Iran use for the Majlis and Assembly of Experts?

• proportional representation

• mixed single-member and multi member districts

• none—all representatives are appointed

• single-member district

Countries like Iran are often thought to have a resource “curse.” Based on your knowledge of Iran and its economy, the resource curse is the theory that

• countries without oil or valuable natural resources cannot successfully develop economically.

• economies that have valuable natural resources tend to diversify less and can be unstable.

• economies with fossil fuels usually have divided governments.

• countries with valuable natural resources will be invaded more frequently.

Which individual largely articulated the ideas behind the Islamic Revolution of 1979?

• Ayatollah Khomeini

• Reza Khan

• Mohammad Mosaddeq

• Ayatollah Khamenei