Analyses the Effectiveness of Anti-Poverty Policies and Programs in Iran after the Islamic Revolution

Following the Islamic Revolution in Iran, according guidelines of the Constitution, government and Protectionist Institutions such as Komiteye Emdade Imam Khomeini have executed many anti-poverty programs. But after more than 25 years, evaluations shows that despite the allocation of considerable financial and human resources, these attempts didn’t have expected results. This article uses capability approach for analyzing the effectiveness of the Development plans policies and the programs of Komiteye Emdad in alleviating poverty in Iran. This analysis shows that not utilizing of empowering mechanism for protecting the poor in anti-poverty programs and policies was the main weakness of these efforts. This analysis explains that these programs and policies have been designed and implemented based on welfarism approach and have tried to compensate poor groups by transfer payments and subsidies.