On Thu, 21 Jun 2001, Alberto Monteiro wrote:
> Ibrahim Underwood wrote:
> >
> >> Also, I would exclude Iran in the
> >> group of "rogue nations" because they have free elections
> >
> > Iranian democracy is a bit of farce really, as absolute power lies in the
> > hands of the Iranian clergy, as a result of some of the more unique
> > features of Ithni Imami Shiah theology.
> >
> Hmmm... I might extrapolate from your first name that you have
> an Islamic background, don't you?
Well you can, but then i could also easily be Jewish or Christian. ;)
But isn't they system based
> on the will of their own people - the fact that there is a constitution
> that exists above the power of politicians to change it doesn't make
> Iran a dictatorship.
Well, considering that power really lies in the Iranian clergy,
particularly the Supreme Leader, Ayatullah Khameini, it doesn't quite
make it a democracy. He is elected by the Majlis Ulama, which is made of
unelected senior Twelver clerics, who
also appoint the judiciary. The power of the clergy makes it very
difficult for reformers such as the President, Imam Khatami, to pass
legislation which is opposed by conservative clerics.
Despite that, Iran is in some respects more open than many of her
neighbours. 'Tis a very unusual country.
Ibrahim Underwood
