Iran Institutions

The vibrant elections and long voter lines across the country in addition to high voter turnout in the presidential election and the high vote cast for the elected person are all clear signs of the success of the Islamic establishment in consolidating and establishing republicanism and the popular nature of this revolutionary establishment, and this is one of the most fundamental and important of numerous capabilities that our beloved Islamic country has, which makes achievement of the lofty goals of the revolution possible and heralds a bright future for the country and nation. Source: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s remarks during endorsement ceremony of Iran’s twelfth president in 2017.

Which of the following concepts does Khamenei reference in the passage?

• Federalism

• Authoritarianism

• Globalization

• Democratization

Answer explanation

Right!

The vibrant elections and long voter lines across the country in addition to high voter turnout in the presidential election and the high vote cast for the elected person are all clear signs of the success of the Islamic establishment in consolidating and establishing republicanism and the popular nature of this revolutionary establishment, and this is one of the most fundamental and important of numerous capabilities that our beloved Islamic country has, which makes achievement of the lofty goals of the revolution possible and heralds a bright future for the country and nation. Source: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s remarks during endorsement ceremony of Iran’s twelfth president in 2017.

Which of the following best describes the speaker’s perspective about the authority of Iran’s government?

• Election results are more important than Iran’s theocracy as a source of authority.

• The leadership of Iran uses the revolution of 1979 and election results as a source of authority.

• The office of president should have more authority than the office of supreme leader in Iran.

• The regime will always support election results, even if those results lead to governmental instability.

Answer explanation

Right!

and legitimacy

What is the name of the guardian jurist in which Iran’s constitution designates the office as head of state and affords it vast authorities under the theory that political authority springs from religious authority.

Answer explanation

Correct!

a body of eighty-eight directly elected jurists constitutionally mandated with overseeing the supreme leader

serves as head of government, serves a maximum of two four-year terms, charged with executing the country’s laws and setting policy,nominates members of the cabinet, who must be confirmed by the parliament.

the unicameral legislature which has broad lawmaking authority

is charged with determining whether laws it passes are permissible under the constitution and Islamic precepts and it qualifies candidates for the Assembly of Experts, presidency, and parliament, giving it great influence in setting the parameters of Iranian electoral democracy.

has the power to mediate between the parliament and Guardian Council.

enforces strict rules on dress, behaviour and

mixing between the sexes in public; Women’s freedom is

particularly curtailed

Which is the best regime designation for Iran?

• authoritarian

• hybrid democracy

• procedural democracy

• substantive democracy