Iran: Democracy or death?

I'm sure most of you have at least heard of the events transpiring in Iran right now, and it looks as if it will be a very turbulent time for Iran? for good or for bad we still do not know.

To be honest, I am not too familiar with the back ground of Iran. This is as far as I know about the country and the situation. Note that most of my information is coming from the fantastic overviews on BBCnews. I tend to trust what they have to say, and I am relying on their information as fact? which is biased? but still, you have to start somewhere. What follows is a summarization of what I have found in my study.

Iran in a nutshell

Iran in a nutshell is populated by 71 million people. Since 1975, the population has doubled in size, making a majority of the population 10-39 years of age. It is in many respects a "young" country. Economy wise, the country suffers from heavy annual inflation, near 25.3%, and unemployment has risen to 24% for the largest age demographic? which is ironically 24 years old, which is nearly half of the population. Oil is a primary product, yet the country is amidst fuel rationing and the country as a whole suffers from severe wealth mismanagement. Iran's health care system is said to be one of the best in the middle east, spending nearly 10% national GDP and life expectancy is relatively high compared to the global average.

The country is ruled by elected and non elected institutions. The president is the second highest official in the country per the Iranian constitution. Constitutionally, the president has much the same power as the president of the United States of America. Interestingly enough, Iranians have stricter terms restrictions than American Politian's have. However, in reality, this power is for the most part impotent because true power rest in the hands of the clerics and the supreme leader. In reality, the president is in control of economic issues, while the clerics hold power over defense, foreign policy, and security. The president can choose his cabinet, and constitutional limitations and privileges apply, however, this power can be overturned by the clerics. Iran has a parliament, which adheres to term limitations and possesses the power to introduce and pass bills and impeach the president and ministers. They do not, however, have authority surpassing those of the clerics. I would at this put draw a sharp line of distinction between the previous and the offices to follow, because what has been previously mentioned are all offices of electorate (voted by the people of Iran).

Supreme power lies in the hands of the supreme leader. Elected by the "assembly of experts," it is the supreme leader who appoints authoritative branches that fall below him? which is everyone else other than the supreme leader. Some of the powers the supreme leader holds electoral power over the judiciary, guardian council, the leadership of the armed forces, and the heads of media? and not to mention total control of the military. Judiciary, appointed by the supreme leader, ensure Sharia law and oversee parliamentary authority judicial. The guardian council consists of a dozen men, half chosen by the judiciary, half from the supreme leader? they are basically the Sharia-law filter for any law passed in the country as well as possessing superseding authority over electorates. So, the Supreme leader is head honcho, the head of judiciary is #2, etc. etc. etc.

What happened and why all the commotion?

BBC timeline says this; 2009 June - Mr Ahmadinejad is declared to have won a resounding victory in 12 June presidential election. The rival candidates challenge the result, alleging vote-rigging. Their supporters take to the streets in protest.

I'd like to hear other people's opinion on this before I put my own two cents in because BBC has a very subtle way of implying multiple reasons for the same thing. Simply, the problems now can be interpreted in multiple ways and I value the different perspectives. Election wise, the evidence for electoral fraud is amazing? breaking all previous precedents in elections held in the country. Long story short, the votes and the data do not line up and the people are starting to ask questions.

Democracy or death.

In my mind, this seems somewhat similar to the onset of the American revolution. The protests in Iran, though not identical to the instances of the American revolution, strike a similar chord. It is essentially a reaction to an infringement of natural rights and rights inherent in the constitution they have understood to represent their interests for many years which now fall short. I wonder if the same thing can be said of Iranians? In an interesting addition, I have recently read that the American revolution was propagated in a large way by the self interests of the American elite. Interestingly enough, the events unfolding now are being propagated by the elite of Iran, the natural aristocracy? the students and educated. So many similarities, so little space.

So what do you think about the whole situation? Any thoughts whatsoever, its great to just have a good discussion about it, both in terms of the nation, what has happened, what is happening, or what may happen in the future.