Strategy

Strategy

The Governance Model in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
mohamadreza dehshiri 1
Zahra Nourine 2
1 .Professor of Political Science, Faculty Member of the School of International Relations, Tehran, Iran
2 PhD student in French Studies, Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/rahbord.2025.227370
Abstract
By defining governance as the horizontal space of decision-making in society—encompassing the methods and mechanisms of implementing decisions, the effective means of achieving policy success, and the conduct of agents and actors—the article identifies the model of governance in the Islamic Republic as aligned with the divine paradigm of governance, founded upon monotheism and justice. This model is characterized by the following features:
First, it is participatory, grounded in religious democracy.
Second, it is rational, based on an expanded conception of rationality that integrates instrumental rationality, moral or normative rationality, teleological or ontological rationality, communicative rationality, dialogical rationality, critical rationality, situational rationality, and collective rationality.
Third, it is composite, insofar as it seeks to address both the Platonic question of who should rule and the Machiavellian question of how to rule.
Fourth, it is resilient, drawing upon the framework of a resistance economy to reconcile the duality of inward-looking and outward-looking approaches.
Fifth, it is civilizational, oriented toward the realization of a new Islamic civilization, and knowledge-based in the sense of being networked, dynamic, and scientific.
Sixth, it is contingent, adaptive, and efficient, built upon the compatibility of tradition and modernity.
In conclusion, the author emphasizes that the realization of smart governance in the Islamic Republic requires harnessing modern technologies—particularly artificial intelligence—to enhance decision-making processes and optimize resource management at both governmental and organizational levels.
Keywords
Governance Model
Religious Democracy
Religious Rationality
Justice
New Islamic Civilization
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  • Receive Date 20 August 2025