Table of Contents

Part 1 Contradiction in the constitution of the Islamic Republic: the composition of the constitution; the genesis of the constitution; the clash over velayat-e faqih. Part 2 The suppression of the democratic elements: the power of the leader; the impotence of the people; the suppression of fundamental rights; the power of the clergy. Part 3 The fate of the constitution's Islamic legalist elements: the unavoidable acceptance of laws alien to the shari'a; circumventing the shari'a through the rule of emergency; circumventing the shari'a through secondary contractual conditions; state ordinances; the interests of the ruling system as a standard for legislation; a problematic criterion of legitimacy. Part 4 The crisis of the shari'a: an awareness of crisis; the search for solutions; criticism from outside. Conclusions: the constitution in historical perspective; the real distribution of power; the importance of the people; the separation of the state and religion.

About the Author

Asghar Schirazi is research associate in the Department of Political Science, Middle East Studies Section at the Free University of Berlin.