This investigation examines the prevalent analyses of work ethics in Iran using a critical approach and introduces the concept of the “Spirit of Rentier Capitalism” as a novel framework for comprehending political economy in the context of local development.
The research is applied-developmental in nature and utilizes a cross-sectional survey design and an explanatory mixed-methods approach (quantitative-qualitative) for data collection.
Based on the synthesis of Boltanski’s “Economies of Worth” theory and rentier state theory, the findings reveal that economic behaviors in Iranian enterprises are primarily influenced by a “rentier-relational justification system.” Rent-seeking considerations, reliance on relational networks, and group-centric logic dominate. Quantitative data from 283 workers and qualitative interviews with managers of 9 factories in Ardabil indicate that while work ethics in family-owned firms are slightly higher, these differences are not statistically significant, as all sectors are influenced by rent-seeking mentalities and dependence on relational networks.
Key Boltanskian concepts such as “exciting,” “security,” and “fairness” take on specific meanings within Iran’s economic landscape, particularly among group-oriented networks. The study underscores the necessity of transcending imported frameworks, such as the Protestant labor ethic, and proposes that the internal logic of the “Spirit of Rentier Capitalism” must be considered when examining underdevelopment in Iran. This indigenous approach has the potential to bridge the distance between Iran’s economic realities and global development theories, providing valuable insights for the localization of development strategies