Exploring the Challenges of Local Governance in the Experience of Islamic City Council Members

Authors

1 Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Social Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jrd.2025.367960.668827

Abstract

The objective of the current study is to comprehend the local governance, contexts, and challenges experienced by the members of Islamic city councils in Iran.
The research approach is qualitative and based on data-based theory. “All the members of the Islamic Councils of the cities of the country” comprise the participants of this investigation. Interviews were conducted with 50 members of Islamic councils in accordance with the logic of purposive sampling. Data were collected until theoretical saturation was achieved through the use of the theoretical sampling method.
The results indicate that the local governance institution is grappling with fundamental issues and challenges. A portion of these issues are related to the internal mechanisms of the councils, while the other portion is related to the relations and interactions of this institution with government institutions and organizations. Consequently, the members’ experiences of attending the city’s Islamic Council are associated with a sense of powerlessness, abandonment, and abnormality, which is conceptualized in the theme of “institutional alienation in the local governance mechanism.”
 The mechanism of comprehending this alienation is effective in the manner in which council members confront their position, responsibilities, and efficiency. This has the following repercussions: a gradual deterioration and delimitation of the role of councils, a deterioration of local democracy, and a withdrawal from candidacy.

Keywords

References

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