Introduction to Comparative Politics (4)
Paper Value: 25% final mark Length: 2000 2500 words (7-9 pages approximately) Due: 28 March 2012
Test 1 Value: 15 % of final mark Date: 8 February 2012 Test of definitions Significant choice will be offered Test time: 45 minutes (absolutely no more than 60 minutes will be given in class) Yes, we will have class after a break L
Wars of National Liberation Designed to free individuals from (usually foreign) colonial rule Two waves: 1. Large Wave that lasted approximately 30 years after WW2 Oust colonial rule 2. Second, smaller wave Oust the new post-colonial regime(s)
Ethnic Nationalism Nationalism that seeks to mobilize a minority Community-based within a region or territory Aim to achieve full statehood for a particular group or territory
Vanguard Young, educated locals Familiar with the tactics of the imperial power Sense a change in both the domestic and international climates Aim to expel foreigners and create a new society free of conflicts and issues from past and present eras Envision a society free of class, ethnic or cultural divisions The most radical form the revolutionary vanguard
Revolutionary Phases 1. Breakdown 2. Rule of the moderates 3. Rule of radicals 4. Unfulfilled expectations
Islamic Revolutionary Movements
Five Pillars of Islam 1. Bearing Witness 2. Daily prayer 3. Alms (religious tax) 4. Fasting 5. Pilgrimage - Define core belief and practice
Islamism Political Islam An offshoot of the religion of Islam The belief that the principles of Islam have to be applied systematically to politics in a way that corrects the corrupt practices of the recent past. Zagorski Not all Islamists are fundamentalists
Iran
Islamic Republic of Iran Capital: Tehran Language: Farsi (45.6%) Population: approx. 75 Million (2010) Poverty: 18% Literacy: 82% Youth unemployed: approx. 25%
The Basics First Constitution 1906 First National Assembly 1906 Oil discovered 1908 Modernizing Revolution short circuited by the Shah s father 1910 Coup 1921 Reza Shah Pahlavi takes power 1925 Until 1941
And Muhammad Reza Shah 1941 (Sept.) Shah flees to Europe 1951 Coup 1953 (Aug.) Shah returns 1953 (Aug.)
Revolution Phase 1: Breakdown Shah rules absolutely from return in 1953 White Revolution 1963 Religious leaders do not support these reforms Oil revenues increase into the 1970s By mid 1970s the Shah is in trouble Need for more reforms Corruption Repression
Phase 2: Rule by Moderates Shah begins talks with moderate opposition leaders 1978 Agree to govern only of the Shah leaves Leaves Iran Jan. 1979 (dies in Egypt July 1980) Ayatollah Khomeini returns Feb. 1979 Moderate parliamentary government is no match for Khomeini and his followers
Phase 3: Rule by Radicals Khomeini s followers Islamic Republic declared - 1979 New constitution 1979 Power struggle between radicals and moderates
Phase 4: Thermidorean Reaction 1990s Regular elections at all levels Political Islam discovers its limits Radicalism and the desire for revolution settle 1997 Mohammad Khatami is elected president
Current Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (Ph.d) elected president in 2005 with (63.4%) vote Generally considered a return to extremism Purges various government departments, related agencies and the diplomatic corps Anti-Israeli rhetoric and nuclear program cause international concern 2006 the IAEA reports Iran to the UN Security Council
And 2007 Economic issues 2009 Ahmadinejad re-elected (62.6% vote) Accusations of election rigging Voter turnout 85% Mir-Hossein Mousavi 33.8% Mohsen Rezaee 1.7% Mehdi Karroubi 0.9%
Iran s Government Council of Guardians Insure that all legislation is in accordance with Islam code and the constitution 12 members 6 chosen by the spiritual leader; 6 chosen by the judiciary
Assembly of Experts Established in 1982 Regularly elected every 8 years Interpret the constitution Select the Supreme Leader 86 members
Islamic Consultative Assembly Directly elected every 4 years Single seat constituencies 290 members
President Iran s second highest official Appoints ministers subject to the approval of the Assembly Popularly elected for not more than two consecutive 4 year terms plus one nonconsecutive term
Afghanistan 1964 parliamentary democracy was established 1973 military coup abolished the constitution and established Afghanistan as a republic Leader killed in a coup in 1978 Pro-soviet government installed Government overthrown in 1979 Soviet troops enter Afghanistan in 1979 Begin withdrawal in 1988 UN brokered exit
Afghanistan Civil war rages during the Soviet occupation USSR supported the government US supported the rebels (the mujahedeen) USSR/US conflict just one of the many Cold War related conflicts
Cold War 1945-1990 The state of hostility between the Soviet and Western bloc nations involving economic, political and subversive action(s) without overt war. Scruton, 106
Blowback The unforeseen negative consequence of an earlier covert action