2, Comparative Politics - Essay Example

The IRGC in iran has incredible influence through military, political and economic power. They have the right to refuse government contracts, and the level of corruption is incredible. Their tax-exempt foundations have monopolized much of the economy, and freedom of expression is extremely limited. The government controls all televsion and radio broadcasts, satellite dishes are illegal, as anyone caught in ownership of one faces confiscation and huge fines. Authorities have successfully hammed dissident satellite stations, and have banned Persian channels.

They also cut communication lines to prevent “illegal international contacts.” Freedom of the press is severely limited. Any publication of books and the distribution of foreign books must be inspected and approved by the Ministry of Culture first. The Press Court has pervasive power over the prosecution of journalists, editors and publishers for “insulting Islam” or “damaging the foundations of the Islamic Republic.” according to Ahmadinejad, the media is to support the government through reporting, not commenting.

The penalites for inference is so severe that there is little public criticism of the president and any source that criticizes the government cannot be used in journalism. The Association of Iranian Jounralists (AIJ) was accused by the labor minister as being an illegal organization in 2008. Jopurnalists who supported women’s rights, suspicion of international connections or speak against the government can potentially face the death penalty. Internet use has exploded in iran, thus causing the government to intervene and block immoral or politically charged sites.

This occurrence has also moved he parliament to allow the death penalty for “the creation of web logs and websites promoting corruption, prostitution and apostasy.” Religious freedoms are limited, and anyone perceived as straying from the “official” interpretation of Islam face dire consequences. Academic pursuits are also restricted. Scholars are often arrested for voicing their political opinions, students who protest are attacked and arrested as well. According to the 1979 constitution, public demonstration that “violate the principles of Islam” are used to justify the violence that disbands assemblies.

Similarly, the government is also allowed to disband private assemblies, under the facade of “countering immoral behavior”. the only organizations that are allowed are those that do not violate “freedom, sovereignty and national unity”. The judicial system is dependent, and in practive trials are closed, and there is no legal council. The penal code is based on Sharia law and allows flogging, stoning, amputation and hanging, depending on the social or political offense. Arbitrary detention is a common method of silencing dissidents, although the laws call for equal rights.

Freedom of movement is also highly restricted. Political activists are not allowed to leave the country, and often, people who are retruning are often interrogated upon their return. Women are especially targeted in their freedoms. They cannot get a passport without her husband’s permission, her court testimony is only given half the weight of a man’s, and any blood money giben to a dead woman’s family are also half of a man’