Hossein Rafie; soroush razmi
Abstract
The Internet, as a public sphere, has created profound transformations in the forms of political participation that political scientists refer to as the emergence of post-modernist forms of Political participation. Many of the problems of modern societies are characterized by wicked issues, among which ...
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The Internet, as a public sphere, has created profound transformations in the forms of political participation that political scientists refer to as the emergence of post-modernist forms of Political participation. Many of the problems of modern societies are characterized by wicked issues, among which the political and social implications of social networks are the complex issues in the context of modern societies. Now, what is the effect of virtual networks as a wicked issue on the political sphere of Iran? Because in order to deal with wicked issues, the adoption of traditional approaches will fail, so other strategies will have to be adopted to deal with such problems. This article examines the multifaceted effects of social networks in the political atmosphere of Iran and shows the framework in which the management of government and official institutions of Iran should be. Decisions based on participation and striving for a deep understanding of technology can provide a positive environment for the emergence of new capabilities of Iranian society.
Political Science
Ali TadayyonRad; Sara Najafpour
Abstract
Introduction Having a clear understanding of the features, elements, and components of storytelling from a political perspective can enhance its effectiveness in conveying complex concepts in the field of political science. Additionally, it can provide an invaluable tool for analyzing and evaluating ...
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Introduction Having a clear understanding of the features, elements, and components of storytelling from a political perspective can enhance its effectiveness in conveying complex concepts in the field of political science. Additionally, it can provide an invaluable tool for analyzing and evaluating ideas presented in a narrative format. This research aimed to examine the status and concept of storytelling, along with its key functions and elements, in the political sphere as presented in the works of Hannah Arendt. The study tried to answer the following research questions: What is the status, function, and concept of storytelling in Arendt’s ideas, and what are its essential elements and components? To answer the questions, the research conducted a descriptive–analytical examination of Arendt’s works and ideas.Literature ReviewNumerous studies have explored the relationship between storytelling and politics from various perspectives, with a significant number dedicated to political analysis of different stories and narratives. However, few studies have focused on the status, function, and components of storytelling in politics from a political perspective. Despite the valuable research already conducted in this area, a review of the literature reveals that further investigation is needed to understand the unique patterns and methods for analyzing and interpreting political stories and understanding the status of stories in politics, their components, and the relationship between storytelling and politics. This research represents a small step towards filling this gap in the literature.MethodologyFollowing a qualitative approach, the present research adopted a phenomenological method developed by Hannah Arendt. Considered as a model to understand politics, Arendt’s phenomenological perspective emphasizes the (im)possibility of understanding unprecedented and unique events and occurrences; the critique of essentialism, scientism, and historicism; and the circular, practical, situated, and universal nature of phenomena (Tadayyon-Rad et al., 2015).This method diverges from the behavioral, positivist, and scientific paradigms employed in humanities and social sciences, which aim to explain phenomena by identifying their causes, motives, and rules. Instead, the phenomenological framework for understanding political experiences and phenomena entails two dimensions: a critical, disruptive, and eliminative dimension that involves deconstructing prejudices and metaphysical fallacies, and an affirmative and constructive dimension that involves the inclusion of various methods. The rejection of metaphysical fallacies and reductionist and deterministic methods of modern science is due to their disregard for the reality of human existence and life on earth by highlighting theories of parallel universe, solipsism, etc. Concerning the positive and affirmative dimension of the model, specific methods for understanding the world and politics are employed, including storytelling, imagination of the researcher as a situated and neutral observer, differentiation, the use of paradoxes and their analysis to gain understanding, and the use of taste and imagination in comprehension.Within this framework, this article first examined Hannah Arendt’s criticisms of modern models and methods of understanding and expression. This helps to know what should not be there in gaining a clearer understanding of the story as a viable alternative that should be there. The concept of action, as a fundamental concept in Arendt’s intellectual system, was introduced and discussed. Then the study proceeded to analyze storytelling and its components and functions in Arendt’s ideas by examining her important and relevant works.ConclusionThere is a mutual relationship between the story and politics. Politicians and political actors often use stories to justify their actions, persuade their followers or audiences, and steer trends and actors in a desired direction through compelling narratives. Stories also help to explain causal relationships, foster greater understanding among people, and play a significant role in building collective identity and shaping collective memory among humans. For Arendt, the relationship between fiction and politics has specific components and functions that are closely tied to the foundations of her political philosophy, including the concept of action. Arendt viewed action as intersubjective, creative, initiatory, global, linguistic, and conversational, which involves public presence, initiative, dialogue, speech, reasoning, persuasion, determination in the path of ideals, and protest against the wrong. According to Arendt, stories have the capacity to express, manifest, and convey all the possibilities of action, and as such, they possess unique functions and components.This study demonstrated that stories—compared to any analysis, philosophy, or history—offer a richer platform for the expression, emergence, depiction, and comprehension of actions, events, and political and social phenomena. Stories reveal the unique identities and characteristics of heroes, actors, and phenomena without reducing them to a linear chain of causal relationships or integrating theories. They offer a narrative of the intersubjective world and human plurality, while also serving as a means of achieving immortality. As stated by Arendt, courage and the mark of heroism belong to the speech and activism of the protagonist.
MORTEZA NIKRAVESH; Hassan Zarei mahmoud abadi
Abstract
In the Naseri era, significant changes have taken place in most areas of Iranian life. the focus of these changes can be found in Zoroastrian’s Collective life of Iran and especially in Yazd because these changes did not just cover the worldly aspects of their lives, but also their collective life. ...
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In the Naseri era, significant changes have taken place in most areas of Iranian life. the focus of these changes can be found in Zoroastrian’s Collective life of Iran and especially in Yazd because these changes did not just cover the worldly aspects of their lives, but also their collective life. The main issue of this research, which is based on the method of historical sociology, is to describe and explain this changes by emphasizing the role of the Indian Persians. The findings of the study indicate that the few elites were found willing to share their accomplishments in Iran, and particularly in Yazd, for these achievements. They used various methods for influencing the Zoroastrian society of the country and for advancing their changes through a variety of ways, such as: asking for help from Britain lure, bribe, flattery and threat the rulers of the time, take advantage of the Qajar kings' limited attention to social reform and their own initiatives. This Elites at first transform the Zoroastrian community of Yazd through the establishment of Panjaits and through this they were able to bring about wide-ranging reforms in the social, cultural, educational spheres, Zoroastrians restriction and revived religious rituals.
Political Sociology
Roya Dousti; Ali Salehi Farsani; Hossein Abolfazli Karizi
Abstract
The present article examines the role of the identity of the Islamic Republic of Iran in relations with the United States between 1979 and 2021. Accordingly, the main question is: What effect did the identity of the Islamic Republic of Iran have on relations with the United States of America between ...
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The present article examines the role of the identity of the Islamic Republic of Iran in relations with the United States between 1979 and 2021. Accordingly, the main question is: What effect did the identity of the Islamic Republic of Iran have on relations with the United States of America between 1979 and 2021? The temporary answer to the question of the present article, which has been done by descriptive-analytical method, is: The revolutionary-Islamic identity of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with its increasingly anti-unilateralist and domineering role, has been in opposition to the interests of the United States of America, which has led to the termination of relations between the two countries between 1979 and 2021. Iran-US relations include the institutionalized structure of conflict in the relations between two political units, which on the one hand is rooted in the nature and type of their political system, and on the other hand is rooted in internal, regional and international causes and factors. In fact, what prevented the establishment of normal relations between the parties is not at the level of discourse or behavior, but due to the confrontational identity of Iran and the United States.
Political Sociology
Rohollah Eslami; Malihe Tabei
Abstract
IntroductionDue to being separated from their families and being exposed to new ideas, university students always follow a kind of idealism in political thought and action, which has fostered the formation of student movements in Iran, with student journals being the crystallization of various political ...
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IntroductionDue to being separated from their families and being exposed to new ideas, university students always follow a kind of idealism in political thought and action, which has fostered the formation of student movements in Iran, with student journals being the crystallization of various political opinions within the university. During 2011–2020 in Iran, the approach to the political changed due to the expansion of the Internet and social networks as well as the generational change, leading to new ideas and views. In this respect, this article aims to examine the evolution of representation and of the political among the university students as manifested in their changing attitudes, concerns, and the issues they wrote about. Analyzing the content of the student journals published at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during 2016–2020, the present research tries to answer the key question of how the political and power relations were represented and evolved in the student journals.Theoretical frameworkPower is related to technology, so any change in technology can bring about changes in the approach to the state and political institutions as well as in the interpretation and crystallization of power. Technology has been one of the main variables in the evolution of human societies to the degree that a technological revolution can be mapped throughout history. Both mechanical technology and information technology have considerably influenced the sphere of politics, leading to two forms of political crystallization. The present article relied on a model derived from the theory of the information age, in which the political is considered as a variable of technology and is transformed from the official, institutional politics to the everyday politics—that is, the transformation from the Hobbesian conception of power and the political (as in Leviathan) into the Foucauldian disciplinary power and resistance.Research methodologyThis research used the method of content analysis, which offers the techniques to analyze the content of themes, sentences, and press material for different purposes. Content analysis is the categorization of elements of a text in different boxes in such a way that the value of the elements arranged in each box defines the entire text. As a documented method, content analysis uses a quantitative or qualitative method or a mixed method in order to analyze the content of texts, images, documents, editorials, etc., and reveal the visible and hidden messages therein, thus offering new insights. Content analysis has a high level of validity and reliability since the researcher cannot involve personal tendencies in the research—given the availability of the research topic (i.e., documents).FindingsThe COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of universities led to a decline in the number of issues, and thus the pages, of the journals published. The present research studied a total of 15000 pages of student journals by applying content analysis to the text and image. The categories and concepts were coded, and the categories as well their subcategories were classified under two general indicators: sociocultural and economic–political. The findings are summarized below.The political as mechanical, institutional, and hard power:The relevant concepts crystalize the age of mechanical technologies, reflecting the students’ concerns about the institutional issues, the state, and the nation. In other words, the journals reflected the society’s concern about the state, law, elections, or citizenship rights as the vocabulary representing the modern mechanical-cum-technological age.The political as informational, everyday, and soft powerConcerning the sociocultural indicators, the most frequent issues in the journals were gender, the environment, and the students’ demands. Theoretically speaking, they can be associated with the information age characterized by the focus on art, the environment, women, and everyday life as the instances of informational-cum-technological age observed frequently in the student journals. This indicates a departure from the official and governmental politics towards the emphasis on power relations in knowledge, architecture, art, and almost every aspect of everyday life. Such a change of attitude is seen as the transformation of the political from mechanical and governmental mechanisms into quantum and informational mechanisms that are expanding.ConclusionIn the decade of the information age and following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the fading of ideologies, the expansion of information technology, and generational changes, the view of politics and its mechanical representation was completely transformed into a quantum and informational representation, with politics manifesting itself as everyday life. The student journals also reflected the change and evolution in the attitudes towards the political. The new generation of students no longer has organizational and institutional demands and reform and revolutionary mechanisms against the government structure. What is evident in the journals is the representation of power as an everyday entity manifested in the demands related to art, the environment, gender, and spaces as well as the request for a better life. The power seems to have moved from the artificial form crystallized in bureaucratic institutions towards the power diffused in everyday life. This change of perspective is evident in the journals led by the students who represent the new generation.The news, analyses, and writings in the student journals have tangibly moved from political-cum-ideological frameworks towards the everyday life. The conception of politics as the governmental entity with the organizational and bureaucratic structure was transformed into an inclusive conception of power crystallized in everyday life. The previous serious debates used to frame students as critics of power, as intellectuals denying the status quo, and as equipped with the weapon of political parties to get them to oppose politicians. However, in light of the recent changes, the students act as rational and activist citizens, who demand everyday life and happiness. The political is no longer restricted to the government, but diffused in every aspect of life. In a sense, the crystallization of the political has evolved from the mechanical conception of power or macropower to everyday power or micropower.
ali bagheri dolatabadi; sara rezaie
Abstract
The main question of the present study is what kind of national roles did martyr Beheshti consider for Iranian foreign policy? The research hypothesis refers to roles such as Islamic world leadership, supporter of the oppressed, and the struggle against arrogance and colonialism. To answer this question, ...
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The main question of the present study is what kind of national roles did martyr Beheshti consider for Iranian foreign policy? The research hypothesis refers to roles such as Islamic world leadership, supporter of the oppressed, and the struggle against arrogance and colonialism. To answer this question, we used K.J Holsti's theoretical framework and the roles of foreign policy that Holsti identified in his book applied with the views of the martyr Beheshti. For this purpose, two methods of quantitative analysis (frequency counting of indexes related to national roles) and qualitative analysis (interpretation of findings with descriptive-analytical method) were used. The findings showed that among the 16 national roles mentioned by Holsti, the national roles of the anti-imperialist State (131 frequency), the defender of Islam (53 frequency), and the revolution and liberation stronghold (48 frequency) had the highest reflection in martyr Beheshti's interviews and lectures. However, there were no mention of the roles such as regional leader and regional protector; instead, three roles have been assigned by martyr Beheshti for Iran's foreign policy that there was not in the roles mentioned by Holsti. These roles include the anti-Zionist state, the justice-seeking state and the peace-loving state.
Mitra Rahnejhad; Tirdad Taghipoor Javi
Abstract
In West Asia, order, oil, and arms have always been the three main factors in determining the equations, which has led to the continued presence of major supra-regional powers in West Asia. Despite significant differences between China and the European Union, both are strategic partners. Given the presence ...
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In West Asia, order, oil, and arms have always been the three main factors in determining the equations, which has led to the continued presence of major supra-regional powers in West Asia. Despite significant differences between China and the European Union, both are strategic partners. Given the presence of China and the European Union in the West Asian region, the question arises as to what effect the economic interests of China and the European Union in this region have on Iran's national security? The main hypothesis is: that: Since China and the European Union have no security competition and at the same time both are important economic players in the world; In the context of extensive US sanctions against Iran, the intersection of the interests of these two supra-regional powers in West Asia and its alignment with the interests of Iran's regional rivals will be a challenge to Iran's national security. This article seeks to answer the question of the article with a comparative view, based on the Copenhagen School of Security.
mohsen nobakht; Mohamad Azimi; Amin Homayeni Demirchi
Abstract
An examination of the views of great thinkers such as Bourdieu, Foucault, and Habermas suggest that we live in a language age. Thus, questions of language and power are increasingly raised in politics and the public sphere, but have received less attention. Due to this issue, the purpose of this study ...
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An examination of the views of great thinkers such as Bourdieu, Foucault, and Habermas suggest that we live in a language age. Thus, questions of language and power are increasingly raised in politics and the public sphere, but have received less attention. Due to this issue, the purpose of this study is to critically analyze the metaphor of policy-making and policy implementation and provide alternative metaphors for them. To achieve this goal, the method of critical metaphor analysis was used. In this method, metaphor was recognized, interpreted and explained in three steps. The findings show that the metaphor of policy-making and policy implementation is a conventional and fruitful metaphor. Hence, the concepts of "approval", "notification", "order", "implementation", "mission", "report", etc. are derived from the generative metaphor of "policy-making and policy implementation" that affects the cognitive system of actors, and prevents them from acting. The results show that the metaphor of Policy making and Policy implementation indirectly and covertly values actors and persuades them to act. Hence the alternative metaphor of policy development and policy enactment were presented. Policy enactment is a theory that was endorsed in 2012 by Ball et al.
Javad Arabameri; Mohsen Eslami; Seyed Masoud Mousavi Shafaee; Mohammad Hosein Jamshidi
Abstract
Benyamin Netanyahu has been the main figure in the Israeli political scene for the past decade. Since he has played a major role in shaping the Israeli foreign policy in the international arena, this study seeks to examine his leadership style and personality traits as an influential and at the same ...
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Benyamin Netanyahu has been the main figure in the Israeli political scene for the past decade. Since he has played a major role in shaping the Israeli foreign policy in the international arena, this study seeks to examine his leadership style and personality traits as an influential and at the same time a neglected factor in the foreign policy behavior of the state of Israel. Hence, the main hypothesis is the fact that Israel’s foreign policy behavior has been more influenced by Netanyahu’s cognitive system and leadership style. The conceptual/methodological framework used in this paper is Leadership Traits Analysis (LTA) proposed by Margaret G. Hermann with a focus on the Conceptual Complexity variable in this regard. The results of this study, which itself are the quantitative content analysis of Netanyahu’s verbal material from 2009 to 2019; suggest that BIBI’s low conceptual complexity and his black and white thinking to foreign policy with high belief in ability to control events, a high desire for power, and a strong distrust to others have shaped Netanyahu’s aggressive and hawkish approach to Israeli foreign policy, which can be seen in exaggerating the Iranian threat and opposing to the idea of a Palestinian independent state.
Gholamali Cheganizadeh; Hossein Mahmoudi
Abstract
As Bush get into power in 2001 and as the Conservative ruled his administration, the US administration's perception of the structure and nature of the international system and its dynamics was shaped by 9/11. These perceptions were theorized in the form of the Bush Doctrine, an inconsistent approach ...
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As Bush get into power in 2001 and as the Conservative ruled his administration, the US administration's perception of the structure and nature of the international system and its dynamics was shaped by 9/11. These perceptions were theorized in the form of the Bush Doctrine, an inconsistent approach to the nature and structure of the post-Cold War international system, which resulted at first in a military invasion of Afghanistan and the overthrow of the Taliban in 2001, and then a dramatic invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003. Under these circumstances, many thought that the next goal of the Bush administration is military action against the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has never been achieved. Relying on this inconsistency (intervening variable), this article addresses the issue of why the United States did not invade the Islamic Republic militarily after the Iraq war. This issue is examined in the strategic literature under the theory and strategy of deterrence. Accordingly, the hypothesis is that the increase in Iran's power and influence (independent variable) as the most important consequence of the Iraq war in US-Iranian relations led to the Bush administration preventing a military invasion of Iran (dependent variable). The finding of this study is to achieve a bifocal model of deterrence of Iran against US aggression.
Majidreza Momeni; Marzieh Chaharmahali Esfahani
Abstract
The end of the Cold War led to development of new cooperation among the states. International regimes are one of the types of cooperation. The presence of emerging powers in the region such as China and India as well as countries like Afghanistan and Iran with the common historical past, cultural values ...
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The end of the Cold War led to development of new cooperation among the states. International regimes are one of the types of cooperation. The presence of emerging powers in the region such as China and India as well as countries like Afghanistan and Iran with the common historical past, cultural values and economic cohesion, provide an appropriate ground for the development of an international regime in the region. The strategic port of Chabahar could be the hub of this regime. In this regard, this piece of research work is an attempt to address the main question as to what capacities does Chabahar have to become an international regime and how do the common elements of cooperation in West Asia facilitate the development of this regime? The hypothesis to answer the question is based on the fact that Chabahar due to its geo-economic and geostrategic location could become an international economic regime and the historical relations as well as common values among the countries of the region facilitate the development of this regime. This research is done through explanatory-analytical method by using secondary data including articles and books and internet sites.
ali akbar asadi
Abstract
The present article seeks to explain the Iraqi Kurdistan independence from the perspective of the interests and strategy of the effective actors, and utilizes the Actor Analysis Approach and MACTOR method. In this regard the main question is: what is the main convergences between interests and strategies ...
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The present article seeks to explain the Iraqi Kurdistan independence from the perspective of the interests and strategy of the effective actors, and utilizes the Actor Analysis Approach and MACTOR method. In this regard the main question is: what is the main convergences between interests and strategies of the main actors in Iraqi Kurdistan, and this circumstances how affects Kurdish independence? MACTOR method explicitly analyzes the relationships between actors and evaluates the relationships between actors and strategies. The main actors and strategies - including 11 main actors and 14 key strategies- were identified and then graphs were analyzed. The most important results regarding the Kurdistan independence are: the most influential actors in the subject; the actors competitiveness in the Kurdish independence; the most sensitive strategies; and the degree of convergence and divergence of actors regarding the strategies under consideration. The important result is that the sensitivity of the key actors and their relative consensus to disagree about establishment of Kurdish state and disintegration of Iraq and also concerns about creation of great Kurdistan state and as a result Increasing instability and Insecurity in the region, means that there are serious obstacles to ahead of Iraqi Kurds.
Abstract
Coronavirus is the catastrophic achievement of modern mankind. The purpose of the present article is a normative proposal for the release of human being that is trapped in a corona; a virus that has isolated social man. The problematic of the article is that the coronavirus has shaken the more or less ...
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Coronavirus is the catastrophic achievement of modern mankind. The purpose of the present article is a normative proposal for the release of human being that is trapped in a corona; a virus that has isolated social man. The problematic of the article is that the coronavirus has shaken the more or less orderly linkage of modern political society (government / civil society / people) that was a relic of European modernity; on the one hand, it has given government’s greater power, on the other hand, it has made the individual weaker. The difficulty with the pandemic disease is that the coronavirus invites the weakened person to segregation and wants the cohabiting person to be the perverted isolator. From a methodological point of view, the author has tried to achieve this reasoning idea by accepting the presupposition of the "three-pronged foundation of the state / civil society / individual in conjunction with a critical approach and by simultaneously using the two "how-is possible" / "how-should" methods; argue that the misnomer of social distancing is a turning point that has necessitated human need for a "virtual civil society". The normative finding of the paper is that one of the ways to reduce the various (physical / psychological) difficulties arising from quarantine / forced housing / displacement / social cohesion is through the corridor of virtual virtualization; A virtual civic community that makes physical segregation and social rapprochement accessible.
International Relations
Seyed Hassan Mirfakhraei
Abstract
In comparison to relations with other European major powers, Iran-Germany relations have been less fragile, more largely stable and expanding. Analysts consider historical, economic, and geopolitical reasons for this feature. One of the difficulties in studying German foreign policy is that the country ...
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In comparison to relations with other European major powers, Iran-Germany relations have been less fragile, more largely stable and expanding. Analysts consider historical, economic, and geopolitical reasons for this feature. One of the difficulties in studying German foreign policy is that the country has abandoned its geopolitical rivalries because of the tough lessons of world war II and has devoted most of its potential to the international economy. Moreover, Germany cannot regulate its foreign policy beyond the framework of its transatlantic commitments, as well as principles and norms of the common European foreign policy. For this reason, the analysis of German foreign policy should focus more on the relatively covert behavior of the country than usual positions by the officials. The study of Iran-Germany relations stands within this framework. This paper aims to focus on the question that why Germany has done its best to emphasize an interactive model in the face of the US confrontation with Iran, and to make the EU to follow this behavior? This paper provides a historical-analytical framework for a deeper understanding of German policy toward Iran, as well as focusing on Germany's approach toward Iran after the JCPOA, especially when Trump lost the presidency.
Mahdi Abdollahi Ziyaedini; ALi Morshedi Zad
Abstract
The main issue of the present research is to explain the causes of the emergence of ethnic political actions in different status of governance in Iran with an emphasis on the dialectic of democracy and development, while the required mood of interaction between the state and ethnicities has been identified. ...
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The main issue of the present research is to explain the causes of the emergence of ethnic political actions in different status of governance in Iran with an emphasis on the dialectic of democracy and development, while the required mood of interaction between the state and ethnicities has been identified. The research method is a qualitative comparative-historical that is used in the theoretical framework of Charles Tilly's social movements to explain two democracy and developmental components.
As a result of the research, the era before the Islamic Revolution was non-democratic state with low development capacity because of Assimilation and the early years of the revolution is democratic capacity with a low capacity because of tolerant approach. In the final stages of the war, Sazandegi, the ninth and tenth governments and the Etedal, the capacity of the government has risen, because of the necessity of the development of infrastructure, and the improvement of the economic and social situation but the level of democracy has diminished because of security and countering Separatism. Finally, the era of Eslahat is seen as an optimal state of a democratic state with a high development potential.
Political economy
Fatemeh Shayan; Mohammad Ali Basiri
Abstract
In the years after the relative domestic stability following the Islamic Revolution of Iran, regional and international issues became the most important concerns of the Iranian politicians. The Iran hostage crisis and the ensuing break in Iran–US relations as well as the Iraqi-imposed war on Iran ...
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In the years after the relative domestic stability following the Islamic Revolution of Iran, regional and international issues became the most important concerns of the Iranian politicians. The Iran hostage crisis and the ensuing break in Iran–US relations as well as the Iraqi-imposed war on Iran during the early years of the formation of the Islamic Revolution practically led to a crisis in Iran’s relations with the Western, Eastern, and Arab countries in the Persian Gulf.Later on, some analysts of Iran’s foreign policy pointed to the ideological nature of Iran’s foreign policy, the idealist viewpoint of Iran’s revolutionary leaders, and the attempt to export the Revolution to other countries. The foreign policy of Iran was based on the preference for nations over states in international relations, the emphasis on the political independence in planning and policymaking, on the preference for beliefs over economic and commercial interests in bilateral and multilateral relations, and the importance attached to political justice in the relations between states in international relations.Highlighting the convergence in intra- and extraregional cooperation, recent changes in Iran’s foreign policy have led to the current emphasis on convergence of issues such as expansion of bilateral and multilateral relations, cooperation and good-neighborliness with neighbors (esp. in the Persian Gulf region), and reduction of disputes. This new approach to foreign policy subscribes to the view that Iran has strategic depth due to its geographical and historical location, hence capable of attaining strategic-cum-global significance. For this purpose, it is necessary for Iran to resolve its problems and differences with its neighbors, establish friendly relationships based on good-neighborliness, and prepare the grounds for the convergence of countries by exporting strategic goods, for example, gas export to Oman. Iran–Oman relations in the field of energy can move to a transregional level, leading to the greater convergence and cooperation in the Persian Gulf region and even in the countries such as India and China.This article aims to evaluate one of the most important developments in Iran’s foreign policy in the last decade, that is, the focus on the surrounding regions, including the Persian Gulf, and the look to the East and Asian countries (e.g., India and China) for the purpose of reducing the disputes with neighbors and seeking extensive cooperation with the East concerning the export of natural gas. The main question is, how can Iran’s export of gas to Oman contribute to the expansion of convergence in Iran–Oman relations? The research hypothesis predicts that the expansion of communications (e.g., the export of strategic goods, such as gas, to Oman) will prepare the ground for enhancing the convergence between the two countries in other fields. The research used Peter McLaughlin’s functional explanation as the method and convergence theory as well as Karl Deutsch’s communications theory as the conceptual frameworks.Considering the economic power and energy in the Persian Gulf region, the analysis indicates that Iran is able to be one of the important sources of income and set gas transit in the region, hence the transit hub of the Persian Gulf. Iran’s gas export to Oman faces challenges and advantages. Regarding the challenges, the enormous investment is required for transporting gas through pipelines over a long distance, which stresses the need to guarantee the gas consumption market and access to a large volume of gas reserves. The dispute between Oman and the UAE over determining the route of the gas pipeline constitutes an important challenge for Iran’s export of gas to Oman. Another challenge is the sanctions through which the US and the Western countries, unable to dominate the energy and resources of Iran after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, tried to oppose Iran. The US has prevented Iran from reaching its desired goals. Despite the challenges, Iran’s gas export to Oman has advantages. For example, the construction of the gas pipeline is beneficial given the fact that Iran is supposed to export 30 million cubic meters gas to Oman and increase this figure to 70 million. This long-term contract enables Iran to achieve between 20 to 30 million dollars of gas revenue.The findings show that the increase in communications (e.g., the export of strategic goods, such as gas) between the two countries can prepare the ground for increasing exchanges of other goods and services. Exporting gas to Oman is considered as the reason for meeting the country’s energy needs, energy security, and even as the basis for the expansion of the gas pipeline from Oman to India and China—which is the most effective factor for the implementation of Iran’s active foreign policy based on convergence between the countries of the Persian Gulf.
Public policy
Mohammad Yari; Mohammad Ziaaddini; Mostafa Hadavinejad; Mehdi Ebrahiminejad
Abstract
IntroductionThis study aimed to use process mining to address the issue of anti-meritocracy in the public sector and develop a conceptual model that highlights the importance of utilizing the skills and talents of the elite. The study began by conducting interviews with 17 experts in the field, which ...
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IntroductionThis study aimed to use process mining to address the issue of anti-meritocracy in the public sector and develop a conceptual model that highlights the importance of utilizing the skills and talents of the elite. The study began by conducting interviews with 17 experts in the field, which led to the identification of 302 initial themes through open coding. From these themes, 16 categories were extracted and grouped into causal conditions (including individual components like Machiavellianism, group components like unhealthy competition, and organizational components such as the possibility of power shifts within the organization), strategies (such as excluding the elite from the public sphere), background conditions (including personal attributes like narcissism and behavioral traits like unhealthy competition), and intervening conditions (such as inappropriate organizational structures). The central category identified was the tendency towards anti-meritocracy, with consequences including the non-acceptance of elite forces. The research findings highlight the importance of utilizing the expertise of the elite in decision-making processes, as failure to do so can hinder the public sector’s strengths and turn opportunities into threats.Statement of the problem The increasing importance of human resource initiatives and the recognition of the value of elite individuals have led many organizations to seek effective solutions by employing their talents. This trend has been particularly evident in elite development organizations within the government sector. The significance of employee talent and the pursuit of enhancing their knowledge and skills have become a global issue, with organizations striving to promote a culture of organizational talent management within their communities (Guth et al., 2012). Managing elite human resources effectively is crucial for improving organizational performance, as recognizing and leveraging their latent talents is a prerequisite for growth and prosperity. This is especially important for managers and leaders of government organizations, which are subject to greater scientific scrutiny due to their dynamic nature. As the public sector becomes more complex, capable leaders are increasingly in demand (Sejeli & Abu Mansor, 2015). In this line, the present study aimed to address the primary question of what the process of anti-meritocracy in the public sector entails. Sub-questions explored various aspects of anti-meritocracy, including its main categories, causal conditions, background conditions, intervening conditions, strategies of action and interaction, and consequences. The primary purpose of this research was to conduct a process mining analysis of anti-meritocracy in the public sector. Specific objectives included identifying the main categories of anti-meritocracy in the public sector, investigating its causal, background, and intervening conditions, examining strategies of action and interaction, and comprehending its consequences.MethodThe study used grounded theory as the research strategy. This systematic and qualitative approach is used to create a comprehensive theory that explains a wide-scale process, action, or interaction concerning a given topic. Therefore, grounded theory was deemed a suitable approach to investigate the process of anti-meritocracy in the public sector.SuggestionsPublic sector human resources departments should develop and implement elite recruitment strategies based on internal and external environmental factors. Research results should be communicated to organizational leaders to keep them informed of the status of elite recruitment and enable them to maintain and improve their strengths, reduce weaknesses, take advantage of opportunities, and minimize losses caused by threats. The dimensions and components of the evaluation of the public sector environment to attract the elite should be communicated to organizations to monitor their situation at specific times.Comprehensive programs should be formulated to create active and dynamic environments for human resources, providing the ground for the development of creativity and innovation for the elite in order to retain them. Intellectual property laws should be adopted and regulations should be approved to increase the motivation of elite individuals and prevent them from leaving the public sector. Protecting the rights of intellectual property is considered one of the inalienable rights of the elite and effective laws that can help motivate them. Using the meritocracy and succession can help to utilize the abilities and talents of the elite, avoid politicization, and prevent them from leaving the public sector. This can also increase their motivation to serve in the public sector.The experts suggested several ways to combat anti-meritocracy in the public sector. One approach is to create more opportunities for talented individuals and ensure that rules and regulations are properly implemented. Additionally, establishing a performance evaluation system with executive guarantees can help promote a merit-based culture. It is also important to rely on individuals who are part of the elite group, believe in the value of meritocracy, and are willing to trust the elite to address the country’s challenges. To further promote meritocracy, it is crucial to train individuals committed to eliminating anti-meritocracy. This can involve avoiding appointing individuals who are jealous, as the elite typically have high occupational expectations.
Saeed Vosoughi; hamid ahmadinejad
Abstract
recognition his behavior, action and decision making. In fact, although many factors influence a leader's understanding and decision-making process, personal construction undoubtedly have a unique role in the process of understanding, value, and beliefs. Therefore, understanding the representation of ...
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recognition his behavior, action and decision making. In fact, although many factors influence a leader's understanding and decision-making process, personal construction undoubtedly have a unique role in the process of understanding, value, and beliefs. Therefore, understanding the representation of the Iranian nuclear case and the decision-making model of this representation would be incomplete without recognizing the personality structure of the leaders in foreign policy. Based on this same issue, the main focus of this article is to identify the influence of Ahmadinejad's personality construction on the path of nuclear confrontation with the West as the opposite. According to this, the question of this article is that, how did Ahmadinejad's personal construction influences the formation and then influences the modeling of the nuclear case? Qualitative research findings in the framework of George Kelly's theory and then applying these findings to the quantitative test, shows that the role of Ahmadinejad's personal construction, while substantially influencing the nuclear case, represents it as a security-identity issue and, accordingly, forms the psychological-value decision based on five principles of construction, dichotomy, choice, modulation, and sociality served as the model of choice. The research method is qualitative and statistical, descriptive and survey (questionnaire).
Jalil Bayat
Abstract
This research has endeavored to explain Barack Obama's approach to the Iranian nuclear crisis based on the image theory in international relations. While competing theories point to issues such as the structure of the international system or comprehensive international sanctions as key factors in reaching ...
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This research has endeavored to explain Barack Obama's approach to the Iranian nuclear crisis based on the image theory in international relations. While competing theories point to issues such as the structure of the international system or comprehensive international sanctions as key factors in reaching a nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1, this study focuses on the mental, perceptual, and personality traits of President Obama. Accordingly, the main research question was asked as follows: Why did Barack Obama take a different approach to his predecessor’s to resolve the Iranian nuclear crisis? Based on the psychological principles and image theory, our initial answer is: Obama's perception of Iran as a regional power and considering the previous policy as damaging, as well as his personality type, led him to take a different approach from that of George W Bush in resolving the Iranian nuclear crisis. The approach of this research is explanatory and its method is a case study. The documentary method of data collection has been used.
hasan naserkhaki; Ali Morshedizad
Abstract
Given the significance of the Islamic Revolution role-playing and increasing importance of the role of new social movements in the world arena, the present paper investigates the relations between new social movements and the Islamic Revolution and the effect of these movements on the promotion ...
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Given the significance of the Islamic Revolution role-playing and increasing importance of the role of new social movements in the world arena, the present paper investigates the relations between new social movements and the Islamic Revolution and the effect of these movements on the promotion of the Islamic Revolution in the world arena. The research requires examining mutual relations between new social movements and the Islamic Revolution. Therefore, according to Alain Touraine’s theoretical basics about new social movements and using a qualitative method, this paper comparatively studied components of identity in the Islamic Revolution and the Environmental movement as one of the new social movements in the world arena. It also extracted, compared, and examined the relations between these movement-stimulant components using categorization and encoding techniques. According to the findings of this study, it can be said that the Islamic Revolution has an identity beyond environmental movement. However, there is no contradiction between their components and therefore there is an overlap between the Islamic Revolution and environmental movement in the world arena.
Hossein Pourahmadi Meybodi; Mohammad Soltanpour
Abstract
The Iranian revolution caused an offensive approach in the American foreign policy towards Iran, and US Offensive foreign policy has taken a different form with the change of each of the presidents. Based on the critical role of the presidency in US foreign policy and the fact that the study of lives ...
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The Iranian revolution caused an offensive approach in the American foreign policy towards Iran, and US Offensive foreign policy has taken a different form with the change of each of the presidents. Based on the critical role of the presidency in US foreign policy and the fact that the study of lives and personalities of presidents has been a significant part of the study of political psychology. The study seeks to find the psychological effects of the life of George W. Bush and his personality on the macro approach of US foreign policy, specifically to Iran. The theoretical framework in this study is the "activator, ideas and results" model of Albert Ellis, an American psychologist. This approach examines the psychological state by examining the role of events and how they are interpreted by individuals. In fact, the data used is data from Bush's biographies, which are examined in a historical and longitudinal way. In the following, Bush's psychological cycle is described and explained by determining the examples of "activator", "ideas" and "results", and his personality traits such as excitement, impulsive behaviors and extraversion are extracted. The results show the decisive influence of Bush's personality traits on his administration's macro-foreign policy approach and important decisions such as the invasion of Iraq, as well as placing Iran at the center of evil and the nuclear issue.
Gholam Reza Haddad
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to understand the internal logic and semantic structure of Hassan Rouhani's speech at the UN General Assembly in 2018. The question is, influenced by the changing context of Iran's foreign policy following the unilateral withdrawal of the USA from JCPOA, in this speech, what ...
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The purpose of this study is to understand the internal logic and semantic structure of Hassan Rouhani's speech at the UN General Assembly in 2018. The question is, influenced by the changing context of Iran's foreign policy following the unilateral withdrawal of the USA from JCPOA, in this speech, what political goals, how and in what framework, behind what speech acts and under what semantic structure is expressed. With a practical understanding of Fairclough's method, the text is described in vocabulary order, then its strategies are interpreted, and finally its conceptual, value, and directive structures are extracted. The results show that the text is based on the perception that the world of international politics is a civil society in which international law and organizations are the most original values and key institutions, so to protect of the IRI as a committed member, decisive and united confrontation to USA as the outlaw member with other members is necessary. In accordance with the Context, the semantic structure of the text can be explained in order to direct the great powers against USA unilateralism around the JCPOA axis and with the aim of taking advantage of the capacities available in this directive action.
Abolfazl Ghasemi; Morteza Alavian; Maryam Hosseini
Abstract
Governments in water-based civilizations have been stronger than society due to organizational consolidation, and water and its consumption have caused water to play its essential role in shaping the socio-political relations of nations and human societies. Therefore, the main question of the research ...
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Governments in water-based civilizations have been stronger than society due to organizational consolidation, and water and its consumption have caused water to play its essential role in shaping the socio-political relations of nations and human societies. Therefore, the main question of the research is what are the requirement of state and society interaction in Iran water governance? Findings of the research based on descriptive-analytical method show that the state in Iran due to its ability to penetrate, the ability to regulate social relations and resource allocation has made it stronger than society. Factors that strengthen the state in Iran in the field of water are: port transfer, licensing, water treatment, structural policy, pricing policy, obtaining permits for diversions, increasing population and raising living standards, agricultural and industrial growth, resolving disputes between water applicants, creating economic and socio-cultural incentives. To change water management, we need to change the behavior of state and society in the form of water governance. The strategic implication that should be considered in the interaction of the state and society in the water governance include: Sustainable Behavior Change, National Dialogue, Institutionalization and Creation Efficient and Effective Structure, holistic thinking, attention to the historical and cultural background, social learning, referential of the water governance.
Mohamad Radmard; Javad Haghgoo
Abstract
The classical discourse of the monarchy dominated the political arena of Iran for more than a thousand years. In this discourse, the king is a Nodal point, freedom is not a place, and the concept of justice is also based on the king's personality. But in the pre constitutional era, the anti-discourse ...
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The classical discourse of the monarchy dominated the political arena of Iran for more than a thousand years. In this discourse, the king is a Nodal point, freedom is not a place, and the concept of justice is also based on the king's personality. But in the pre constitutional era, the anti-discourse of the monarchy is gradually taking shape in Iran. Accordingly, the question to be discussed in this study is: What contributed to the collapse of the classical discourse of monarchy and the formulation of constitutional discourse? This article seeks to show that the general crisis and disorder in Qajar Iran on the one hand and the familiarity of Iranians with the Constitutionalist discourse in the West and the moments of its discourse, such as justice and freedom, the field of marginalization of the classical discourse of monarchy and the rejection of the earlier meanings of justice and caused freedom. To achieve this, this article uses the methodology of the discourses of Laclau and Mouffe.
Abdolreza Alishahi; Hossein Masoudnia; Younes Forouzan
Abstract
The Corona virus was one of the major challenges outbreak of facing the global community in early 2020. At the beginning of the crisis, the US was one of the safest countries but this country was at the top of the list of most infected people a little later. Corona Virus is an unresolved issue in the ...
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The Corona virus was one of the major challenges outbreak of facing the global community in early 2020. At the beginning of the crisis, the US was one of the safest countries but this country was at the top of the list of most infected people a little later. Corona Virus is an unresolved issue in the US system now. In this article the authors aim to answer this question: What are the main reasons for Trump's inability to control the coronavirus in the United States? And what are the most likely consequences of this Virus? The hypothesis, emphasizing Trump's narcissistic personality shows in his view, Corona's prevalence in the US was based on the conspiracies of China, WHO and the poor functioning of Obama administration. The findings of paper which are based on conspiracy theories, written and virtual sources and descriptive analytical methods, show that the inefficiency of Trump's economic policies towards China, ineffective policies again WHO and the weakness of American people laws passed by Trump are the most important reasons for this issue. The consequences of this could be a major economic crisis in US, escalating tensions with China and defeat in the upcoming presidential election.
