Hamidreza Rahmanizadeh Dehkordi; Mohamad Medi Zanjani
Abstract
Purpose: There are various approaches to study the modern state in Iran including the Marxist approach, Patrimonial approach and the Oriental despotism approach. These approaches, however, often consider the modern state as a full-blown despotism and Reza Shah as an "oriental despot" or an autocrat who ...
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Purpose: There are various approaches to study the modern state in Iran including the Marxist approach, Patrimonial approach and the Oriental despotism approach. These approaches, however, often consider the modern state as a full-blown despotism and Reza Shah as an "oriental despot" or an autocrat who imposed his will upon the society. The critics of Reza Shah claim that he was a dictator: He secularized laws, forced women to do away with the veil, and introduced Western-style dress for men. They state that during his time, there was hardly any political life in the form of opposition. The press was muzzled; the parliament rubber-stamped the king’s decisions, and some of his political rivals and confidantes were imprisoned, some eliminated. Religious protests were put down robustly, and Reza Shah was ruthless with tribal rebellions. Indeed, his style was very brusque. This study aims to show how a seemingly absolute and autocrat modern state, Reza Shah’s State, could be limited by a number of factors including the existence of strong social forces such as tribes, the state’s incapability to exert absolute force, and the intervention of foreign powers. In other words, there have been some social and economic contexts influencing the modern state. In this situation, the Shah could be forced to make a decision and take an action different from his own will. To prove this claim, this study gives some evidence from various sources, including foreign state documents, books, memories, diaries of foreign financial advisers such as Dr. Millspaugh, eyewitnesses who registered their observations etc. Design/Methodology/Approach: The structural approach is adapted to justify the modern state. In other words, it is shown that to understand the concrete reality of The Modern State, one should refer to the context (social forces, geographic situation, and intervention of foreign forces) and, moreover, one should refer to the state and its ability/inability to exerting absolute force in its territory. Findings: Our thesis can be summed up by one typical statement: Social, economic, and demographic situations (including social forces and geographically large countries with dispersed population), that is what is called as a context and some characteristics of the Modern State (including state inability to exert absolute force on the country), prevent the state from falling into full-blown despotism. The study has summarized the other approaches and compared them to the approach of the present paper for highlighting the different dimensions of this approach. Originality/Value: It is the researcher’s belief that this study throws a new light to the debates on Reza Shah’s state as the first modern state in Iran. The critics of this state assert that it was a full blown despotic state, and the defenders consider it as a reformer-dictator state that laid the foundation of modern Iran and transformed the chaotic and desperate conditions of the time. This study shows that, in spite of the fact that there were some suppressions, some structural impediments prevented the Shah to act on his own absolute will.
Abbas Alli Rahbar; Farzad Souri
Abstract
Purpose: Security is one of the major issues that the need for it is felt tangibly and effectively in all aspects of human life and searching for that has an unbreakable bond with the essence of human existence. Political thinkers generally consider security as one of the government’s main tasks. ...
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Purpose: Security is one of the major issues that the need for it is felt tangibly and effectively in all aspects of human life and searching for that has an unbreakable bond with the essence of human existence. Political thinkers generally consider security as one of the government’s main tasks. This issue has been of particular position and importance in Islam and designing it in Islamic system has been noteworthy. The Holy Quran considers the security as one of the goals of God sovereignty and the righteous succession. Security in the Holy Quran has several levels which involves spiritual, personal, social and political aspects. Methodology: In this article, we attempt to examine the concept of political security in epistemic system of Holy Quran by using interpretive works on Quran. This choice is according to division of Islam into three original, theoretical and practical spheres and also known classification of Islam as beliefs, morals and laws, to reach a typology of political security which is theological-intellectual, ethical-psychological and practical-behavioral. Findings: In this article we argue that in modern political thought the government is responsible for security and taking care of it in anarchic atmosphere. In this view, governments are the major subject of security. Also from the perspective of political sociology, political security can be known as product of social interaction which manifests from interaction between individuals, groups and political institutions. In other words, feeling political security is in fact a form of social production and all the social and political institutions are involved in its formation. So it can be said that feeling political security is a multifaceted and complex concept, because the feeling shapes in a mental and intersubjective space, and because this sense of security is in the political sphere which, according to Max Weber, is the area of power. From his perspective, our understanding of the politics would be a set of efforts to participate in power. Value: This article concludes that the most important ways and requirements to achieve political security is the cases such as avoiding tyranny and oppression, establishment of justice in society, coping with domestic disrupters and fighting with foreign enemies. It also can be extracted from the presented arguments that in Quran there is a special attention to the action–behavioral aspect of political security, in addition to considering two other aspects which were mentioned before.
Shahrooz Shariati; Mahdi Abbasi Shahkuh
Abstract
Purpose:Before the establishment of the Pahlavi Dynasty, the Iranian Society relied on entities and associations that were independent to a significant degree; this paper tries to explain the relations between society of Iran and its antagonistic opposition with the government in in the era of Pahlavi ...
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Purpose:Before the establishment of the Pahlavi Dynasty, the Iranian Society relied on entities and associations that were independent to a significant degree; this paper tries to explain the relations between society of Iran and its antagonistic opposition with the government in in the era of Pahlavi emergence. From this point of view, before the establishment of the Pahlavi Dynasty, the Iranian Society relied on entities and associations that were independent to a significant degree and Social control were prevented by them. In this regard, for example the Shi’i scholars had the opportunity to criticize the governmental actions due to their financial independence and having the mosque tribunes under their control as well as having the exclusive right to interpret the religious rules. Therefore, Reza Shah who was aware of the power of opposition gradually started to show a negative reaction to them. Therefor Government to achieve its modernization goals did not bear the power of social networks. Using case studies and revision political actions and combining the social Control theories, this paper tries to explain the relations and Competition between the society and oppressive government on social control, in the era of Pahlavi. Design/Methodology/Approach:Case study research is a methodology which refers to the in depth analysis of some historical facts before the establishment of the Pahlavi Dynasty and some facts about society of Iran in the era of Pahlavi emergence. Findings: The concepts of social control and governance are closely related, from this point of view Reza Shah who was aware of the power of the society in Iran gradually started to show a negative reaction to the oppositions against his suppressive and secular policies and in place of reinforcing a legal authority, he tried to suppress the social movements through threatening, dual game, assassination, conspirators as well as using the militaristic powers. Therefor Government to achieve its modernization goals did not bear the power of social networks. This policy not only was based on Iran cultural and social condition but also created many fundamental problems and specially caused antagonism between tradition and modernity in Iran. Originality/Value: Along with the emergence of modern states, the concept of social control has undergone a fundamental transformation and governmental approaches were ruled to governmental surveillances. This article reviews the concept of social control to re-reading the history of the modern state in Iran. From this point of view, before the establishment of the Pahlavi Dynasty, the Iranian Society relied on entities and associations that were independent to a significant degree and Social control were prevented by them. Using case studies and revision political actions and combining the social Control theories, this paper tries to explain the relations and Competition between the society and oppressive government on social control, in the the era of Pahlavi.
Mohsen Khalili
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the present paper with emphasis on the main and original functions of states is showing the supremacy of state in the time of hegemony of the instruments and concepts of cyberspace over the linkage between rulers and obedient; although, the citizens have become more agile and more ...
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Purpose: The aim of the present paper with emphasis on the main and original functions of states is showing the supremacy of state in the time of hegemony of the instruments and concepts of cyberspace over the linkage between rulers and obedient; although, the citizens have become more agile and more aware too. E-government refers to the use by government institutions of information technologies that have the ability to transform relations with citizens, businesses, and other branches of government. These technologies can serve a variety of different ends: better delivery of government services to citizens, improved interactions with business and industry, citizen empowerment through access to information, or more efficient government management. As we speak of E- government as an instrument, concept and process, indeed, we have spoken of the continuity of the old phenomenon in response to the new questions of new governing a society. Electronic government is made of the distinguishable distinction between the old and the new definitions and functions of states with these advantages: The use of E- government, as a tool to achieve better government; the use of information and communication technologies in all facets of the operations of a government organization; the continuous optimization of service delivery, constituency participation and governance by transforming internal and external relationships through technology, the Internet and new media. The ultimate goal of the e-government is to be able to offer an increased portfolio of public services to citizens in an efficient and cost effective manner. E-government helps simplify processes and makes government information more easily accessible for public sector agencies and citizens. Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper is formed and based on the critical paradigm with the descriptive method for comparison explanation of the new perception of the legitimacy. Findings: The new achievement of this paper is reconfirmation of the classic and original mechanisms of all of states; such as force, enticement, persuasion, compulsion, command, requirement, replacement, dismissal, law and order. But, primary reason of governmentality in the era of the electronic government has changed to a triangle of rightfulness, lawfulness and effectiveness. The intent of original and first reason of statesmanship is the immemorial concept of legitimacy. Now, in the consequence of the new finding of the present paper, it seems that the question (why we ought to obey the government?) is not sufficient and correct. In other words, nowadays the new question (how does state become stable and continuous?) has been more efficient and right. Originality/Value: Cyberspace is an indicative of the new epoch which contains much difference with former period. Some new concepts of the space of politics such as globalization, global village, electronic state, cyberspace, cyber democracy, virtual civil society, have caused to change the operations of states. States, in the newfound of the era of virtualization of politics, use the soft power, such as propaganda, influence, parade, integration, exhibiting, attraction, and mentality making for durability.
Hamidreza Rahmanizadeh Dehkordi
Abstract
Purpose: The relationship between cyberspace and democracy has been one of the most controversial issues during the last two decades. The main question particularly lies in the fact whether cyberspace can restrict the authoritarian state. The study aims, in the first step, to examine the arguments for ...
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Purpose: The relationship between cyberspace and democracy has been one of the most controversial issues during the last two decades. The main question particularly lies in the fact whether cyberspace can restrict the authoritarian state. The study aims, in the first step, to examine the arguments for and against some basic concepts which are related to the question of the study and those debates including “virtual civil society”, “virtual public sphere”, “state accountability” and “creating some spaces for resistance”. Then, Non-Democratic Sides of Cyberspace were examined and it was revealed that they are not related to cyberspace per se. These features arise from political, social and economic structures; but cyberspace can represent them, at the best. In other words, internet should be looked at as a tool or a medium, not as a goal per se. Design/Methodology/Approach: In this article, the main arguments for and against the democratic sides of cyberspace were examined and some evidence was given for each. Then, it was indicated that all of them are a part of truth. To understand the concrete reality on cyberspace we should refer to context (social, economic structures) which is known as structural approach. Findings: Our thesis can be summed up by one typical statement: "structures and actions determine the political and social system and internet and cyberspace can only act as a catalyst". No evidence could be found to show us that activity in cyberspace can make a great change in political, social relations and structures, on the contrary, there is clear-cut evidence that the state and social, economic institutions, have used this tool in promoting and achieving their goals. Originality/Value: The two different approaches toward cyberspace and its impact on promoting democracy process are not new. Our contribution to this process, in the first step, is to categorize and analyze them based on their reasons and evidence and more importantly, to show that these two approaches are Two sides of the same coin. To understand the democracy process and nature of the state, we should refer to the concrete context including social and economic structures and not to virtual tools.
Hamid Yahyavi
Abstract
Purpose: The present paper aims to articulate Michel Foucault’s thought for analyzing the problematic of the state. “Foucault vision of modern state” is not paid attention by political theoreticians as much as micro-physics analysis. While on the contrary, it can open a new research ...
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Purpose: The present paper aims to articulate Michel Foucault’s thought for analyzing the problematic of the state. “Foucault vision of modern state” is not paid attention by political theoreticians as much as micro-physics analysis. While on the contrary, it can open a new research domain through which one can survey and investigate the various domains of the state. Design / Methodology / Approach: Investigating on Foucault’s those works which have not been known such as College de France Lectures on the basis of “textual methodology” and taking advantages of descriptive-analytical approach, the paper seeks to elucidate Foucauldian method of analyzing procedures, mechanisms and components of modern state, rereading his theoretical arguments as well. Findings: The present paper indicates that in the course of a theoretical shift, Foucault begin to take into consideration the problematic of government as a new dimension in the analysis of power whereby the relations of power is studied within the viewpoint of leadership. He addresses to “the genealogy of Modern State”, which the connection between political rationality and the government lies at the heart of it, in addition to “the genealogy of Modern Subject”. Abandoning the problematic of the state and exploring it on the basis of Governmentality, Foucauldian approach has raised a new way of investigating the nature and component of the state. By inventing the concept of Governmentality, Foucault represents the process of affection of mentality upon government’s practices, besides concentrating on governmental practices rather than institutions. By this start point, he reveals a transformation in the mentality of government in modern ages which nowadays has became spread in a large scale. As a whole, in Foucault’s view, the state is considered as a construct which, on the one hand, is related to the governmental rationalities (as the intellectual dimension) and, on the other hand, to the art of government (as the Practical dimension). There is no such thing as a state, but there is art of government. Governmental apparatus can be added to this analytical framework (as an Institutional dimension) Originality / Value: Offering a Three-dimensional analysis of the "state" (composed of rationality, practice, institution) on the basis of a critical view, this sort of analysis will be included a wide range of liberal and illiberal governances. This analytical frame work, which is based on an anti-essential vision of the state, is considerably deserved to explain the components of modern state and seems useful in dealing with the problematic of the state in Iran.
Ali khaje Naieni
Abstract
Purpose: The present article is an attempt to describe the elementary forms of policy network in public policy and policy making. Government is actually not the cockpit from which society is governed and that policy making processes rather are generally interplay among various actors. Networks provide ...
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Purpose: The present article is an attempt to describe the elementary forms of policy network in public policy and policy making. Government is actually not the cockpit from which society is governed and that policy making processes rather are generally interplay among various actors. Networks provide platforms where highly interdependent policy actors are contacted and interact frequently to deal with common problems. “The resulting formal and informal interactions have the potential to increase policy effectiveness at less cost than authority-based structural changes arrived at through formal reorganization”. Policy networks are Clusters of actors, each with an interest, or stake in a given policy, and the capacity to determine policy success or failure. The policy network concept is strongly influenced by inter-organizational theory, which stresses actors are dependent on each other because they need each other’s resources to achieve their goals. Policy networks are “relatively stable sets of private and public organizations that negotiate in a horizontal, coordinating manner.” Actors converge around various policy problems and interact through the sharing of information, expertise, and political support. The types of networks that form depend on the balance of political power and resources between private and public actors. Policy network analyses attempts to explain policy development by examining networks of actors concerned with a given policy problem across public and private sectors. Design/Methodology/Approach: Studies of networks had been “guided primarily by two theoretical perspectives: resource dependence and related exchange perspectives. The policy network approach focuses attention on the interaction processes between interdependent actors and the complexity of objectives and strategies as a consequence of that interaction. The functioning of networks can be addressed using this network analytical approach, since we defined functioning as the process by which certain network conditions lead to certain network outcomes. In network analysis, the ‘nodes’ and ‘relations’ - that comprise the network - gets analyzed and explained. Findings: In political science, networks are often interest groups. Public management network researchers have attempted to develop a network management paradigm comparable to the hierarchical organizational authority paradigm of bureaucratic management. There are three main approaches to using the network concept: Policy networks as a specific form of governance, Typologies of network structure in a policy subsystem and Formal network analysis. Network Management is a form of management consisting of coordinating strategies from different participants with varied goals and preferences in regards to a problem/policy measure within an inter-organizational network. Number of actors involved, Complexity of policy networks, Degree that network is self-referential, Absence of conflicts of interest, and the Cost involved affect success . Each of dimensions of policy network performance can be linked to the costs of policy networks. Policy networks goes beyond the one-dimensional new public management conceptualization of performance that focuses on efficiency and effectiveness Originality/Value: To sum up, this essay is an insightful and intuitive one for anybody who wants to ponder on the different and various dimensions of policy network in formulation of policies and policy making.
Mohamad Hossein Jamshidi
Abstract
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to explain concept, nature and features of the state and the political system in Allameh Shahid Sayyed Mohammad Baqer Sadr’s thought. Among contemporary Emami thinkers, he is one of the thinkers that examined the question of the state with accuracy and attention ...
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Abstract The purpose of this paper is to explain concept, nature and features of the state and the political system in Allameh Shahid Sayyed Mohammad Baqer Sadr’s thought. Among contemporary Emami thinkers, he is one of the thinkers that examined the question of the state with accuracy and attention to the principle of human nature, spirituality and Islam. He believes that it is inevitable for man and is the basis for civilization. He also explains the government due to the major crisis of contemporary human which he calls it crisis of social and political system. Therefore it is important for us to investigate his theory. From belief in monotheism, divine justice, and human dignity Sadr derives three maxims: the absolute sovereignty of God over the world, human freedom and the need to devise collective destiny of man by himself. But the result of the acceptance of these three principles is "caliphate" and succession of man on earth instead of God and its political dimension through the formation of "state" which is undeniable due to requirements of human society. So the main question of this paper is that in political thought of martyr Sadr, what is the state and does it have any status? In response to this question, I study his theory about the state, on the basis of the logical reconstruction of the formation of thoughts. Methodology of this paper is logical reconstruction and analytical explanation, with regard to the question of nature and features of state theory in his thought, for presenting his theory in a coherent and logical format. On this basis, by reviewing his works, we find that in thought of martyr Sadr the state is a human and historical necessity that in its complete form is manifested in the Islamic state. So, the Islamic state is a religious necessity for realization of Islam and is a civil and civilizational necessity to bring people to perfection and well-being which is based on the principle of human nature and Creation and his needs.
