Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 students of doctoral studies of islamic revolution , shahed university , tehran , iran
2 assistant professor of political science department of shahed university , tehran , iran
Abstract
Introduction
After the victory of the Revolution and the establishment of the Islamic Republic, institutions and organizations were created within the system of governance, some of which were intended to promote development and good governance. However, over the past four decades, most analysts and intellectuals have come to believe that the system of governance has suffered serious damage in the political, social, economic, and cultural spheres. To move beyond this situation, structural and institutional reform is necessary, along with attention to the institutionalization of quality governance and good governance. In this respect, the present study sough to answer the following question: What are the requirements of institutional transition and good governance in the Islamic Republic of Iran?
Literature Review
In an article “The Political Economy of Rent-Seeking and Privatization in Iran After the Islamic Revolution,” Moradi et al. (2022) argue that due to the diversion of privatization from its original purpose and the transfer of state property to quasi-state sectors, what is described as private enterprise is, in practice, removed from genuine private ownership and placed under the control of powerful quasi-state actors. In his book A Critical Pathological Examination of the Electoral System, Moshfegh (2017) examined the election laws and the electoral system of the Islamic Republic, arguing for reforms in the existing legal and structural framework of the electoral system. In “The Relation Between Elite Political Culture and Good Governance: Implications for Iran,” Graeeli Korpi et al. (2023) contend that a democratic political culture among elites contributes to the development of democracy and good governance, whereas an authoritarian political culture acts as an obstacle to democracy.
Moreover, Rostami et al. (2020), in “An Analysis of the Concept of Revolutionary Institutions in the Legal System of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” argue that revolutionary institutions possess a non-governmental character and were not originally conceived as formal components of the state structure. However, due to their parallel functions alongside official institutions, they have contributed in practice to structural expansion and institutional redundancy within the country’s governance system. In their study titled “A Comparative Study of the Role of Specialized Civil Society in Combating Corruption in Iran and South Korea,” Barati et al. (2020) identified anti-corruption efforts as a key dimension of good governance. They argue that in South Korea, specialized civil society organizations have played a significant and effective role in combating corruption, whereas in Iran such institutions have not yet been fully institutionalized and need formal recognition within the power structure. Concerning the perspective of new institutionalism, what distinguishes the present research is its focus on identifying the core institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and examining the necessity of overcoming the challenges and deficiencies in the governance system. It tried to analyze institutional reform and transition toward an open society and good governance within the logic of the Islamic Republic of Iran itself.
Materials and Methods
The present study relied on the new institutionalism, with a particular focus on the ideas of Douglas North. The methods of library research and documentary analysis were used to collect and analyze the date.
Results and Discussion
Transition should take place within a framework that emphasizes the normalization of institutions, institutional innovation, the alignment of informal institutions with formal ones, the persuasion of the ruling authority, and the cooperation of the ruling coalition—especially non-accountable parallel entities—within the framework of law. In this process, the institutionalization of political parties, reform of the electoral system, and the fight against rent-seeking and corruption are essential for creating effective civil and governmental institutions capable of delivering good governance. Therefore, the system of governance, with its institutional constraints and limited access to development, requires amendment through institutional reform within a transitional framework.
Conclusion
According to the findings, weaknesses in the quality and performance of institutions reflect a limited access in the Islamic Republic. Therefore, any necessary change, reform, creation, or revision of governance structures aimed at improving and strengthening the institutional system should take place within the framework of a successful transition and in a manner compatible with the logic of the Islamic Republic’s limited-access system.
Keywords
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