+

The Islamic Republic of IranWhat is a theocratic republic? Who has the power?

Who makes decisions?

+As a “REPUBLIC,” Do the people have a say in their government? Universal Suffrage for those 18 years of age National, Provincial, and Local Elections Who runs in the elections…and are they free and fair?

+Iran’s National System of Government

Executive• Chief of

State: Supreme Leader

• Head of Government: President

• 3 oversight bodies

Legislative• Unicameral

Assembly (Parliament)

Judicial• Based on

Sharia Law• Supreme

Court and other subordinate courts

+Iran’s Executive Branch: The UNELECTED

Supreme Leader Commander-in-chief of the

military (he alone can declare war or peace)

Controls Intelligence and security operations

Appoints the head of the judiciary

Serves for life Selected by the Assembly of

Experts Currently Ayatollah Khamenei

Guardian Council

(1 of the 3 “oversight” bodies) 12 members

6 Islamic Clerics 6 Jurists

Must approve all laws passed by parliament (determines compatibility with Islamic Law)

Must approve all candidates for parliament, president, and Assembly of Experts

Supervises Elections

+Iran’s Executive Branch: The ELECTED President

Elected by the people Serve 4-year terms (2 term limit) “Public Face” of the nation Subordinate to the Supreme Leader Powers are limited (mostly in charge of

economic policies) Currently Hassan Rouhani

+Iran’s Legislative BranchThe ELECTED

Parliament 290 Members (majlis) Elected by popular vote 4-year terms All bills they pass are subject to approval by the

Guardian Council All sessions are open to the public

+

Democracy Index

A map of the world showing the results of The Economist's Democracy Index survey for 2012. Each country's democracy is rated on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the most democratic and 0 being the least democratic.

Key:Full democracies:9.00-10.00

8.00-8.99

Flawed democracies:7.00-7.99

6.00-6.99

Hybrid regimes:5.00-5.99

4.00-4.99

Authoritarian regimes:3.00-3.99

2.00-2.99

0.00-1.99