The Knowledge Society and Knowledge-based Economy in Arab Countries: A Model for Iran

The move towards a knowledge society and knowledge-based economy is not just a fundamental necessity for developing countries like Iran. Preventing the progress of such societies in this area can reduce their power for competitiveness. In accordance with the need of these countries'' economic situation to move from a traditional resource-based economy towards a knowledgebased economy، taking into account of the experience of different countries can help to reduce the likelihood of following the wrong direction. This paper has the aim of showing how the experience of developing countries، with an emphasis on Arab countries'' moves towards creating a knowledge society and economy، can provide a general framework for planning the progress of a Iranian society towards a knowledge society and knowledge-based economy also. The results of this paper show that working on developing an infrastructure for transportation and information، expanding short-term education courses، trying to produce knowledge goods and services، aiming redefine products on the basis of knowledge and، at the same time، the creation of social، cultural and political foundations have all played an important role in the Arab countries، move towards building a knowledge society. This way of viewing a knowledge society and knowledge-based economy could serve as a good model for Iran to follow.