Iran Political Institutions

Unlike the Russian and Chinese Revolutions of the 20th century, Iran's Revolution of 1979 was almost completely based on

• ideology

• military might

• religion

• the desire to control oil

Which of the following pairs of countries are unitary states?

• Russia & China

• Iran & China

• Britain & Russia

• Mexico & Iran

Presidents in both Iran & Mexico are

• limited to serve for only one term

• directly elected by the people

• heads of state

• commanders of the armed forces

One of the main roles of the Guardian Council is to

• act as sole judiciary for Iran's government

• resolve differences between the President and the Majles

• vet candidates for all elected offices

• resolve differences between the Assembly of Experts and the Majles

The Expediency Council has been set up to mediate differences between the Majles and the

• Assembly of Religious Experts

• Chief Judge

• Guardian Council

• Supreme Leader

Which of the following describes the role of the Assembly of Experts?

• It chooses Iran’s vice president to check the power of the president.

• It approves candidates running for political office, including that of the presidency.

• It helps the Supreme Leader select members of Iran’s judiciary.

• It has the power to dismiss the Supreme Leader if he is unable to fulfill his official duties.

The powers of the president include all of the following EXCEPT the power to

• determine whether laws conform to Islamic law.

• sign international treaties.

• draw up the annual budget

• propose legislation to the Majles

How does your textbook characterize the relationship of Iran’s clerics with its most sensitive ministries?

• While the leaders of these ministries appear to be highly trained technocrats, they are fairly powerless individuals dependent on a powerful clergy.

• The clergy clearly dominates Iran’s bureaucracy, with clerical members controlling not only the top cabinet positions but the clear majority of subordinate positions within them.

• ​The clergy is prevented from holding cabinet positions in these ministries, although they dominate and control the rest of Iran’s ministries.

• ​Iran’s clerics are confined to working for only these five ministries and they are clearly subordinate to the ministers of these cabinet departments.

When describing the Majles, the constitution uses the term __________ rather than shari’a (divine law) to gloss over the issue of whether legislation comes from God or the people.

• faqih

• qanun

• hadith

• qadi

According to your textbook, what is the biggest obstacle to fair elections in Iran?

• The ability of the Guardian Council to approve all election candidates

• Restrictions on electoral information by the government-controlled radio-television network.

• The ability of the Interior Ministry to ban dissident political organizations

• The participation of the Revolutionary Guards in the supervision of voting.