Question 1

Language minorities in Iran

Accepted Answer

A)  have always been suppressed throughout the country's history. 
B)  enjoy little freedom under the Islamic Republic but were given much freedom under the Shah. 
C)  are naturally dying out due to low birthrates among these groups. 
D)  were dying out but have enjoyed a renaissance under Ahmadinejad's administration. 
E)  were given unprecedented rights under the Islamic Republic, but, in practice, support for these has been minimal. 
A)  have always been suppressed throughout the country's history. 
B)  enjoy little freedom under the Islamic Republic but were given much freedom under the Shah. 
C)  are naturally dying out due to low birthrates among these groups. 
D)  were dying out but have enjoyed a renaissance under Ahmadinejad's administration. 
E)  were given unprecedented rights under the Islamic Republic, but, in practice, support for these has been minimal.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

A)  determine whether laws conform to Islamic law. 
B)  sign international treaties. 
C)  chair the National Security Council. 
D)  draw up the annual budget. 
E)  propose legislation to the Majles. 
A)  determine whether laws conform to Islamic law. 
B)  sign international treaties. 
C)  chair the National Security Council. 
D)  draw up the annual budget. 
E)  propose legislation to the Majles.

Question 3

The _____________ was created by the Shah to create an organizational link between his government and the Iranian population, especially the bazaars, who had managed to escape direct governmental control.

Accepted Answer

A)  Resurgence Party 
B)  Tudeh Party 
C)  National Front 
D)  Mojahedin 
E)  SAVAK 
A)  Resurgence Party 
B)  Tudeh Party 
C)  National Front 
D)  Mojahedin 
E)  SAVAK

Question 4

Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was installed with absolute power in 1953

Accepted Answer

A)  by referendum. 
B)  after a protracted civil war. 
C)  by his father, Reza Shah, before his abdication. 
D)  after a vote by the Majles. 
E)  by army officers with financial backing from the United States and Britain. 
A)  by referendum. 
B)  after a protracted civil war. 
C)  by his father, Reza Shah, before his abdication. 
D)  after a vote by the Majles. 
E)  by army officers with financial backing from the United States and Britain.

Question 5

The primary difference between Sunni and Shi'i Islam is

Accepted Answer

A)  whether all Muslims have to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. 
B)  who should have succeeded the Prophet Mohammad following his death. 
C)  the amount one needs to submit to the Five Pillars of Islam. 
D)  whether or not the Prophet was divine. 
E)  how much Muslims should modernize. 
A)  whether all Muslims have to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. 
B)  who should have succeeded the Prophet Mohammad following his death. 
C)  the amount one needs to submit to the Five Pillars of Islam. 
D)  whether or not the Prophet was divine. 
E)  how much Muslims should modernize.

Question 6

Describe the elements of democracy that are found in Iran's theocratic political system.  Explain the concessions that the country has made to democracy.  Assess the relative balance between democracy and theocracy within this political system.  How would you respond to the argument made by some scholars that democracy and Islam are incompatible?  Does Iran prove or disprove this argument?

Accepted Answer

Iran's theocratic political system incor

Question 7

Even though Khomeini often stressed that his government would be administered by trained officials rather than clerics, __________ of _________ Iran's presidents have been clerics.

Accepted Answer

A)  3; 5 
B)  4; 5 
C)  4; 6 
D)  5; 6 
E)  6; 6 
A)  3; 5 
B)  4; 5 
C)  4; 6 
D)  5; 6 
E)  6; 6

Question 8

The two dynasties most responsible for the dominance of Shi'i Islam in Iran include the ___________ who were responsible for converting the majority of the population and the __________ who were responsible for making it the country's state religion.

Accepted Answer

A)  Tudeh; Pahlavis 
B)  Qajars; Kurds 
C)  Safavids; Qajars 
D)  Farsi; Safavids 
E)  Zoroastrians; Pahlavis 
A)  Tudeh; Pahlavis 
B)  Qajars; Kurds 
C)  Safavids; Qajars 
D)  Farsi; Safavids 
E)  Zoroastrians; Pahlavis

Question 9

Despite the constitution's mandate that the management of local affairs in the Islamic Republic would be under the supervision of directly-elected councils, council elections were not held until __________ came to power.

Accepted Answer

A)  President Khatami 
B)  Leader Khamenei 
C)  President Rouhani 
D)  President Ahmadinejad 
E)  President Rafsanjani 
A)  President Khatami 
B)  Leader Khamenei 
C)  President Rouhani 
D)  President Ahmadinejad 
E)  President Rafsanjani

Question 10

Describe Ayatollah Khomeini's re-invention of the Shi'i term, velayat-e faqih (or jurist's guardianship).  Explain the necessity of this to the establishment of a theocracy in Iran.

Accepted Answer

Ayatollah Khomeini re-invented the Shi'i

Question 11

Discuss the role and powers of the Supreme Leader within the Iranian political system.  How would you explain was the impact of the death of Ayatollah Khomeini upon this political office?  How would you assess the relative authority and power of this office today in relation to the rest of Iran's political institutions?

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Leader is the highest-rankin

Question 12

The 1979 Islamic Revolution has been variously described as a religious one and a nationalistic one. First, describe both the religious and nationalistic elements of the revolution. Next, construct an argument as to whether the revolution was predominately religious or nationalistic or a mixture of both.

Accepted Answer

The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran had

Question 13

_________ is Islamic religious law based on the Qur'an, the teachings of the Prophet, and, for Shi'is, on the teaching of the Twelve Imams.

Accepted Answer

A)  Shari'a 
B)  Madhi 
C)  Torah 
D)  Avesta 
E)  Mellat 
A)  Shari'a 
B)  Madhi 
C)  Torah 
D)  Avesta 
E)  Mellat

Question 14

In contrast to the mass demonstrations in Egypt and Tunisia, Iran's political system has survived because of

Accepted Answer

A)  electoral manipulation. 
B)  the conservative's significant base of support within the electorate. 
C)  its control over the Internet and social media domestically. 
D)  the support of the armed forces for the Iranian regime. 
E)  Shi'i Islam. 
A)  electoral manipulation. 
B)  the conservative's significant base of support within the electorate. 
C)  its control over the Internet and social media domestically. 
D)  the support of the armed forces for the Iranian regime. 
E)  Shi'i Islam.

Question 15

Following the Iranian Revolution, all of the following steps were taken to control Iran's armed forces EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  the regime purged the top ranks of the military. 
B)  the regime placed officers promoted from the Revolutionary Guards in command positions over the regular divisions. 
C)  the Leader placed chaplains in military units to watch over military officers. 
D)  the regime built up the Revolutionary Guards as a parallel military force. 
E)  in recent years, the regular military and Revolutionary Guards have been placed under the authority of the fundamentalist ideologically-inclined Basej. . 
A)  the regime purged the top ranks of the military. 
B)  the regime placed officers promoted from the Revolutionary Guards in command positions over the regular divisions. 
C)  the Leader placed chaplains in military units to watch over military officers. 
D)  the regime built up the Revolutionary Guards as a parallel military force. 
E)  in recent years, the regular military and Revolutionary Guards have been placed under the authority of the fundamentalist ideologically-inclined Basej. .

Question 16

Various Iranian political administrations have undertaken all of the following measures to address Iran's environmental problems EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  They have devoted considerable resources into solar and nuclear energy to provide cleaner energy for industrial and home electrical use. 
B)  They have begun to produce highly refined gasoline to decrease air pollution. 
C)  They have supported water conservation to combat the problem of aridity and the lack of regular rainfall. 
D)  They have encouraged citizens to use public transport to decrease the use of private cars. 
E)  They have supported reforestation efforts throughout the country. 
A)  They have devoted considerable resources into solar and nuclear energy to provide cleaner energy for industrial and home electrical use. 
B)  They have begun to produce highly refined gasoline to decrease air pollution. 
C)  They have supported water conservation to combat the problem of aridity and the lack of regular rainfall. 
D)  They have encouraged citizens to use public transport to decrease the use of private cars. 
E)  They have supported reforestation efforts throughout the country.

Question 17

Iran's heritage gives it a national identity distinct from the Arab and Turkish world.  This heritage is best described as

Accepted Answer

A)  Iranian. 
B)  Persian. 
C)  Safavid. 
D)  Pashtuun. 
E)  Kurdish. 
A)  Iranian. 
B)  Persian. 
C)  Safavid. 
D)  Pashtuun. 
E)  Kurdish.

Question 18

Vast amounts of oil revenues had what consequence in Iran?

Accepted Answer

A)  Citizens paid very little for gasoline and heating oil. 
B)  Oil helped fuel democratic reforms within the state. 
C)  The state was able to attract foreign investment in the manufacturing sector due its ability to offer tax incentives. 
D)  The oil fields had a detrimental impact on agriculture leading to several devastating famines. 
E)  The state became independent of society since it did not depend on society for tax revenue. 
A)  Citizens paid very little for gasoline and heating oil. 
B)  Oil helped fuel democratic reforms within the state. 
C)  The state was able to attract foreign investment in the manufacturing sector due its ability to offer tax incentives. 
D)  The oil fields had a detrimental impact on agriculture leading to several devastating famines. 
E)  The state became independent of society since it did not depend on society for tax revenue.

Question 19

Khomeini's version of Shi'ism is best labeled as

Accepted Answer

A)  Islamic fundamentalism. 
B)  Shi'i populism. 
C)  Islamic social conservatism. 
D)  religious dogmatism. 
E)  Islamic socialism. 
A)  Islamic fundamentalism. 
B)  Shi'i populism. 
C)  Islamic social conservatism. 
D)  religious dogmatism. 
E)  Islamic socialism.

Question 20

Iran's state organizations must conform to all of the following "divine principles" as spelled out in the constitution's preamble EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  the Day of Judgment. 
B)  Khomeini's doctrine of jurist's guardianship. 
C)  the Qur'an. 
D)  the eventual return of the Hidden Iman. 
E)  toleration of the People of the Book. 
A)  the Day of Judgment. 
B)  Khomeini's doctrine of jurist's guardianship. 
C)  the Qur'an. 
D)  the eventual return of the Hidden Iman. 
E)  toleration of the People of the Book.

Language minorities in Iran

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

The _____________ was created by the Shah to create an organizational link between his government and the Iranian population, especially the bazaars, who had managed to escape direct governmental control.

Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was installed with absolute power in 1953

The primary difference between Sunni and Shi'i Islam is

Even though Khomeini often stressed that his government would be administered by trained officials rather than clerics, __ of _ Iran's presidents have been clerics.

The two dynasties most responsible for the dominance of Shi'i Islam in Iran include the _ who were responsible for converting the majority of the population and the who were responsible for making it the country's state religion.

Despite the constitution's mandate that the management of local affairs in the Islamic Republic would be under the supervision of directly-elected councils, council elections were not held until __________ came to power.

Describe Ayatollah Khomeini's re-invention of the Shi'i term, velayat-e faqih (or jurist's guardianship). Explain the necessity of this to the establishment of a theocracy in Iran.

_________ is Islamic religious law based on the Qur'an, the teachings of the Prophet, and, for Shi'is, on the teaching of the Twelve Imams.

In contrast to the mass demonstrations in Egypt and Tunisia, Iran's political system has survived because of

Following the Iranian Revolution, all of the following steps were taken to control Iran's armed forces EXCEPT

Various Iranian political administrations have undertaken all of the following measures to address Iran's environmental problems EXCEPT

Iran's heritage gives it a national identity distinct from the Arab and Turkish world. This heritage is best described as

Vast amounts of oil revenues had what consequence in Iran?

Khomeini's version of Shi'ism is best labeled as

Iran's state organizations must conform to all of the following "divine principles" as spelled out in the constitution's preamble EXCEPT

Introducing Comparative Politics

Britian

France

Germany

European Union

Japan

India

The United States

Brazil

Mexico

South Africa

Nigeria

The Russian Federation

China

Filters

Exam 14: Iran

Language minorities in Iran

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

The _____________ was created by the Shah to create an organizational link between his government and the Iranian population, especially the bazaars, who had managed to escape direct governmental control.

Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlavi was installed with absolute power in 1953

The primary difference between Sunni and Shi'i Islam is

Even though Khomeini often stressed that his government would be administered by trained officials rather than clerics, __________ of _________ Iran's presidents have been clerics.

The two dynasties most responsible for the dominance of Shi'i Islam in Iran include the ___________ who were responsible for converting the majority of the population and the __________ who were responsible for making it the country's state religion.

Despite the constitution's mandate that the management of local affairs in the Islamic Republic would be under the supervision of directly-elected councils, council elections were not held until __________ came to power.

Describe Ayatollah Khomeini's re-invention of the Shi'i term, velayat-e faqih (or jurist's guardianship). Explain the necessity of this to the establishment of a theocracy in Iran.

_________ is Islamic religious law based on the Qur'an, the teachings of the Prophet, and, for Shi'is, on the teaching of the Twelve Imams.

In contrast to the mass demonstrations in Egypt and Tunisia, Iran's political system has survived because of

Following the Iranian Revolution, all of the following steps were taken to control Iran's armed forces EXCEPT

Various Iranian political administrations have undertaken all of the following measures to address Iran's environmental problems EXCEPT

Iran's heritage gives it a national identity distinct from the Arab and Turkish world. This heritage is best described as

Vast amounts of oil revenues had what consequence in Iran?

Khomeini's version of Shi'ism is best labeled as

Iran's state organizations must conform to all of the following "divine principles" as spelled out in the constitution's preamble EXCEPT

Introducing Comparative Politics

Britian

France

Germany

European Union

Japan

India

The United States

Brazil

Mexico

South Africa

Nigeria

The Russian Federation

China

Filters

Even though Khomeini often stressed that his government would be administered by trained officials rather than clerics, __ of _ Iran's presidents have been clerics.

The two dynasties most responsible for the dominance of Shi'i Islam in Iran include the _ who were responsible for converting the majority of the population and the who were responsible for making it the country's state religion.