State Studies

Explaining the Resource Management Pattern of Tensions and Local Conflicts between the Political-administrative Realms of the Administrative Divisions

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Zahra Ahmadipour 1
Hassan Jafarzadeh 2

1 Professor, Department of Political Geography, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

2 , PhD, Department of Political Geography, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22054/tssq.2026.74446.1427
Abstract
Introduction
In recent decades, the scale and nature of political tensions and conflicts have changed considerably. Alongside interstate disputes, intrastate and local conflicts, particularly those involving competing political-administrative territories, have gained increasing importance. Population growth, rising demand for natural resources and economic opportunities, ethnic and cultural differences, spatial inequalities, and changes in the political management of national territory are among the principal factors contributing to these conflicts. In this context, administrative divisions constitute a fundamental framework for the political organization of space and the exercise of state authority. Their structure can either facilitate territorial cooperation or intensify competition among neighboring areas. When administrative boundaries reflect geographical conditions, social relationships, cultural characteristics, economic linkages, and functional interdependencies, they can improve public service delivery, promote equitable resource allocation, and support balanced regional development. Conversely, territorial arrangements that disregard local realities may reinforce perceptions of discrimination, administrative fragmentation, local rivalries, and centrifugal tendencies. Previous studies have examined several dimensions of these problems, including spatial inequality, boundary disputes, place identity, competition over resources, and weaknesses in local governance. Nevertheless, a comprehensive framework linking the principal sources of territorial tension to appropriate management strategies remains necessary. The central problem addressed in this study is therefore to identify the sources of tension and conflict between political-administrative territories and explain the mechanisms through which these conflicts can be managed at national and regional-local levels.
Research Objective
The primary objective of this study is to identify and classify the sources and determinants of tension and conflict between political-administrative territories and develop a systematic conceptual model for managing, reducing, and preventing these conflicts, with particular emphasis on Iran's administrative division system. The study also seeks to connect conflict-generating factors with appropriate policy responses and provide an applicable framework for improving the political organization of space, enhancing territorial governance, and strengthening cooperation among administrative units.
Methodology
This research is applied in purpose, qualitative in nature, and descriptive-analytical in method. Information was collected from library sources, theoretical literature, and previous studies concerning political geography, the political management of national space, administrative divisions, and conflict management. The analytical process involved identifying and classifying the principal sources of tension between political-administrative territories, examining the characteristics and potential consequences of each factor, and proposing corresponding management strategies. In the final stage, the relationships among conflict-generating factors, policy interventions, and expected outcomes were integrated into a systematic conceptual model. The study focuses primarily on Iran's administrative division system, although some components of the proposed framework may also be applicable to other territorial governance systems. Accordingly, the findings are based on qualitative analysis and conceptual synthesis rather than statistical testing or field-based evaluation of policy effectiveness.
Findings
The findings indicate that tensions and conflicts between political-administrative territories arise from multiple interrelated factors. These include the spatial structure of government and the distribution of political authority; changes in administrative boundaries; natural and cultural heterogeneity among territorial units; boundary disputes; uneven regional development; the influence of political power and patronage on territorial decisions; local competition for resources, public budgets, and administrative positions; electoral districting; place identity and the symbolic implications of territorial boundaries; the inappropriate shape and size of administrative units; and environmental tensions. These factors do not operate independently. Their interaction can intensify competing interests, perceptions of deprivation, declining public trust, weak institutional cooperation, and instability in administrative boundaries. For example, boundaries that fail to correspond with watersheds or functional regions may complicate the management of shared resources. Similarly, territorial changes that disregard local identities and community preferences may revive historical disputes and reinforce perceptions of unequal treatment.
The proposed model identifies complementary interventions at national and regional-local levels. At the national level, reforming administrative division legislation and replacing narrowly defined criteria with multidimensional assessments incorporating natural, social, economic, cultural, environmental, and security considerations are essential. Transparent procedures for boundary changes, independent professional assessment of territorial proposals, clear institutional responsibilities, fairer budget allocation, and reduced reliance on nontechnical considerations in administrative decisions are also important. Furthermore, administrative, political, and fiscal decentralization, where appropriate to local capacities and institutional conditions, can increase citizen participation and support a more balanced distribution of decision-making authority and responsibilities.
At the regional-local level, priorities include accurately documenting administrative boundaries, establishing impartial legal mechanisms for resolving boundary disputes, coordinating the management of shared resources, involving social and cultural groups in decision-making, strengthening local councils, and expanding economic and cultural cooperation among neighboring territories. Greater consistency between administrative boundaries, ecological systems, functional relationships, and spatial planning frameworks can improve coordination and reduce the adverse consequences of territorial fragmentation. Equitable access to public services and infrastructure, effective communication networks, and joint environmental protection are also important measures. Where competing interests cannot be entirely eliminated, negotiation, mediation, and collaborative problem-solving can help produce mutually beneficial agreements. The proposed framework integrates these interventions into an interconnected system in which identifying conflict sources, selecting appropriate policies, and coordinating actions across governance levels contribute to the achievement of desired outcomes. These expected outcomes include stronger reciprocal cooperation, expanded cultural interaction, improved public service delivery, greater citizen participation, balanced regional development, protection of ecological foundations, equitable resource allocation, more stable administrative boundaries, the formation of functional regions, and the development of specialized growth poles based on territorial capacities.
Conclusion
Administrative divisions should not be understood merely as administrative mechanisms for subdividing national territory. They are fundamental instruments of political-spatial management that shape relationships among territories, communities, and local institutions. Sustainable management of local tensions and conflicts therefore requires a comprehensive, preventive, and multilevel approach integrating territorial reform, equitable resource distribution, meaningful local participation, recognition of place identity, functional coordination, balanced regional development, and environmental protection. Coordinated implementation of these policies can address structural sources of conflict, strengthen mutual trust and cooperation, and promote greater integration among political-administrative territories. Nevertheless, because this study is based on library research and conceptual analysis, further field-based research is required to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed strategies across different regions of Iran and determine how their outcomes vary according to local conditions.

Keywords

Conflict management
Local tensions
Political-administrative territories
Administrative divisions
Political management of space.
Subjects
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