The Governance Challenge of Development Plan Laws in Iran: Divergent Governance and Neglect of the Social Sphere

Authors

1 Department of Socio-Cultural Governance, Faculty of Governance, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Social Researcher, PhD in Sociology of Economy and Development, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

The objective of this investigation is to examine the governance of development in Iran by identifying the root causes of the failure to implement development plan laws.
Employing a critical realist approach and qualitative research methodology, the study is based on interviews with 15 participants. A three-stage classification process was employed to analyze the data. During the initial phase, 295 initial identifiers were extracted from the interview transcripts. In the second stage, these were consolidated into 25 themes and subsequently categorized into five main categories: (1) unfavorable structural-economic conditions, (2) instability and weak systems thinking in development planning processes, (3) fragmentation of the executive system, (4) anti-social and non-participatory governance, and (5) ineffective oversight structures. The findings indicate that despite the government’s persistent efforts to address societal issues through excessive legislation, structural expansions, and budget allocations, the dominance of hierarchical governance, the lack of engagement with society, and the exclusion of intermediary layers and social institutions have severely hindered the realization of development lawsDevelopment has been ensnared in a state of divergence between theory and practice in this context, as it is understood as a fusion of perspectives and a balanced interaction among important institutions of the state, market, and society. The governance approach has failed to adopt an inclusive stance toward society, which is the foundation of development. This underscores the prevalent pattern of divergent governance in Iran. However, development-oriented governance is inherently convergent, defined by its defense of the social sphere and by balancing power among the state, society, and market.
Thus, convergent governance can be interpreted as a mechanism that enables society to establish equilibrium among social partners and counterbalance the unbridled power of the state and market.

Keywords

References

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