key term - Majles

Definition

The majles is a legislative assembly in Iran, specifically referring to the Islamic Consultative Assembly, which is responsible for enacting laws and overseeing the executive branch. Established after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, it plays a crucial role in shaping Iran's political landscape by debating policies, approving budgets, and representing the interests of the Iranian populace in the government.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The majles consists of 290 members who are directly elected by the Iranian public for four-year terms, reflecting a democratic element within the Islamic Republic's governance.
2. While the majles has legislative power, its decisions can be overridden by the Guardian Council, which holds significant authority over laws and elected officials.
3. The first majles was convened in 1980 following the revolution, marking a shift towards establishing a parliamentary system within the framework of an Islamic state.
4. Legislation proposed in the majles must be approved by the Guardian Council before becoming law, ensuring that all laws align with Islamic principles and the Iranian constitution.
5. In recent years, the majles has faced challenges such as low voter turnout in elections and increasing public dissatisfaction with economic conditions, influencing its overall effectiveness.

Review Questions

• How does the majles function within Iran's political system, and what are its primary responsibilities?
  • The majles functions as Iran's legislative assembly, responsible for enacting laws, approving budgets, and representing citizens' interests. Members are directly elected by the public for four-year terms, which allows for some level of democratic representation. However, its effectiveness is often limited by the oversight of the Guardian Council, which reviews all legislation to ensure compliance with Islamic law.
• Discuss the relationship between the majles and the Guardian Council, highlighting how this dynamic affects legislative processes in Iran.
  • The relationship between the majles and the Guardian Council is characterized by a significant power imbalance. While the majles proposes and debates legislation, any law passed must receive approval from the Guardian Council before it can take effect. This oversight means that even if elected representatives support a bill, it may be rejected if deemed inconsistent with Islamic principles or the constitution. As a result, this dynamic can stifle legislative initiatives and limit public representation in governance.
• Evaluate how the role of the majles has evolved since its inception after the Iranian Revolution and its impact on Iranian politics today.
  • Since its inception in 1980, the majles has evolved from being a newly established legislative body to a critical player in Iran's political landscape. Over time, it has experienced fluctuations in public support and influence due to various factors like economic challenges and political repression. Today, while it still serves important functions such as law-making and budget approval, its effectiveness is often overshadowed by the authority of bodies like the Guardian Council. This evolution reflects broader trends in Iranian politics where popular representation is continually challenged by undemocratic oversight.

Related terms

Guardian Council:

A powerful body in Iran that ensures legislation passed by the majles conforms to Islamic law and the constitution. It has significant influence over candidates' qualifications for elections.

Assembly of Experts:

An elected body responsible for selecting and supervising the Supreme Leader of Iran. Members are also tasked with evaluating the performance of the Supreme Leader.

Islamic Republic:

The political system established in Iran after the 1979 revolution, characterized by a blend of Islamic governance and republicanism, where both religious and elected officials hold power.