Political Sociology
Nejat Mohammadifar; Ehsan Kazemi
Abstract
Imagining government as a powerful and all-encompassing institution which effectively controls a geopolitical area has affected the basic role of this institution in the development discourse. Because the government is considered as the main basis of political, economic and social order, its representative ...
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Imagining government as a powerful and all-encompassing institution which effectively controls a geopolitical area has affected the basic role of this institution in the development discourse. Because the government is considered as the main basis of political, economic and social order, its representative role is significant. Today, many thinkers and international organizations believe that the government still plays an essential role in advancing the process of development and poverty reduction but the problem is that always some governments have not been able or willing to play the expected roles. Many governments, due to various social, political, economic and structural reasons do not have the ability and capacities necessary for carring out development and poverty reduction, or basically do not show much political desire and will in this regard. Since the 1990s, those states that their governments lack the necessary ability to perform normal functions and lead their society to development have been known as fragile states. This is a concept that is more related to developing countries. On the basis of this, the main question of the current research is "what are the criteria for evaluating the capacity and willingness of fragile states in planning for development and poverty reduction?" The research method used in this research is systematic review and information are collected using library tools and internet resources. The theoretical framework of the research is based on Torres and Anderson (2004). From the point of view of Torres and Anderson, the development capacities of a government include the foundations of government authority, administrative capacity and efficiency, economic efficiency and the effective exercise of political power. A government that lacks these capacities or has these features just to a limited extent will lose its capacity and ability to advance development and reduce poverty to a large extent. In addition, from thier point of view, along with these features, the political will for development and poverty reduction must exist at the top of the government. In other word there should be an explicit political statement that shows the commitment and desire of a government to advance development and poverty reduction programs. As well, in this direction, attention should be paid to the existence of strategies, tools and motivations for implementation, so that services are provided in the best possible way and has the character of inclusiveness. Finally, Torres and Anderson (2004) present a fourfold typology of governments (weak willingness and capacity governments, strong willingness and weak capacity governments, strong willingness and capacity governments, and weak willingness and strong capacity governments) that can be used to identify the criteria for evaluating the capacity of fragile states in development planning and poverty reduction. The results of the research findings show that governments in fragile states could have a proper planning in order to improve development capacities and reduce poverty by strengthening the foundations of authority, effective exercise of political power, efficiency in macroeconomic management, administrative capacity for implementation, along with the political commitment to reduce poverty and provide comprehensive services. Based on this, the governments that have weak political desire and will, even if they have the necessary capacities for development and poverty reduction, will not succeed. Similarly, those states that have a strong political desire and will but lack the necessary capacities, will not be successful. In transition countries, where governments are usually more fragile, rapid changes may lead to instability. Therefore, it should be emphasized on gradual reforms and more accountability of governments in these countries. As the Iraq experience clearly shows, dramatic changes—including a sudden move toward fully competitive elections—in countries with weak cohesion, fragile institutions, and a history of intergroup hostility can be highly explosive and undermine the entire reform agenda. So, it is better to give priority to solidarity and security and gradually carry out broader reforms in the field of development and poverty reduction so that do not explicitly threaten the status quo. Limits such as increasing transparency and carrying out budgeting methods, strengthening non-governmental organizations, creating a strong civil society, strengthening public cohesion and trust, increasing income and reducing unemployment, improving the rule of law and the government's capacity to judge and implement it can improve relations between governments and people and provide the basis for other actions. It seems that the biggest determining factors eventually are the government, its leadership, policies and institutions; This does not mean ignoring the role of the society as sustainable development requires roles of both government and society. The development-seeking government and the development-seeking society, with their desire and high capacities for development, are the key to success in the advancing development and poverty reduction.
Omid Shokraneh Arzanaghi; Masoud Akhavan Kazemi
Abstract
The present study examines and analyzes the impact of the participation crisis on the fall of the second Pahlavi regime from the perspective of crisis theory. The main question of the present study is what role did the participation crisis play in the fall of the Pahlavi regime? The research findings ...
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The present study examines and analyzes the impact of the participation crisis on the fall of the second Pahlavi regime from the perspective of crisis theory. The main question of the present study is what role did the participation crisis play in the fall of the Pahlavi regime? The research findings indicate that with the end of dictatorial rule in 1320, Iranian society entered a new phase and the provision of open political space and the activities of political parties and organizations doubled the motivation of the people for political participation. But with the coup d'état of August 28, 1943, a new era of authoritarian rule began in Iran. Political tyranny, lack of growth and inefficiency of parties, lack of free elections, suppression of freedoms and political rights of the people, severe weakness of popular organizations and lack of freedom of the press, caused the Pahlavi government to face a crisis of political participation. The continuation of the crisis of participation in the Pahlavi government and the negligence of the officials of the government to resolve the crisis, paved the way for the fall of the Pahlavi regime. The method of this research is descriptive-analytical and causal research. Data collection in this study was done through library and documentary methods.
Ruhollah Safariyan; Seyed Javad Emamjomehzadeh
Abstract
Social changes in the global approach to development at the societies level has changed. Today a different social structure is required for the comprehensive development of the organization so that all social forces can be included in this structure. A good governance pattern with a different social ...
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Social changes in the global approach to development at the societies level has changed. Today a different social structure is required for the comprehensive development of the organization so that all social forces can be included in this structure. A good governance pattern with a different social and political framework is also in line with these new conditions. Accordingly, the main question of the present article is how good governance patterns affect overall development. Our hypothesis in this study is that in the model of good governance by creating social capital in its triple structure, it leads to the development of administrative, political, economic, social and cultural levels. Thus, in this approach, the state, with its distinctive nature and character and by organizing it rationally facilitates the development of partnership and participation of other social sectors, such as civil society and non-governmental public institutions, and the private sector. And the main feature of the new age and globalization is that decentralization is expected in this structure. Therefore, this research attempts to show by using descriptive-analytical method and using library and documentary sources that the model of good governance as a new approach to development studies emphasizes the state with institutional-managerial aspects and political and legal nature, and along with it, the various social forces that are co-ordinating with the perspective and the horizontal and network structure.
Mohammad Bagher khorramshad; Majid Nejatpoor
Abstract
Purpose: After the Islamic Revolution, some intellectual and political currents discussed the concept of development. In the wake of continuing discussion on development, liberal development discourse arose from the intellectual and political currents of the 70th. In this article, we want to show how ...
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Purpose: After the Islamic Revolution, some intellectual and political currents discussed the concept of development. In the wake of continuing discussion on development, liberal development discourse arose from the intellectual and political currents of the 70th. In this article, we want to show how the concept of development appeared, why it was rejected by some groups, and what happened to its meaning. Design/Methodology/Approach: In this regard, we can pay attention to the works of Mahmud Sariolghalam & Mouse Ghaninejad for a deeper understanding of the intellectual and political content of liberalism in Iran. Development discourse tries to articulate main concepts such as small government, freedom, market economy, and human rights. This study tries to examine the development discourse by using discourse analysis. Findings: The mail question of this article is this: What is change from the perspective of liberal development discourse? In response to this question, it can be said: the change consist of the process of modernization and transition from traditional society to modern society. This means “liberal modernization”. The main element of liberal current is the optimization of liberal system, economic competition and a minimum role of state in domestic politics and international trade. The supporters of liberal current pay attention to change and modernization, and hold an optimistic view of new western civilization. They believe that in failure to reach development, determinant factors are domestic factors such as wrong thoughts and beliefs of Iranian culture. Originality/Value: In this article, we investigate liberal development discourse and try to establish a relationship between liberal current and development. This current defends a systematic liberal perspective and a competitive economy. The Adherents of this current believe that the state intervention in economic activities must become very minimal.
